Soul Survivor has responded to the investigation into its former leader Mike Pilavachi by the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST) and the Diocese of St Albans.
The probe looked into his verbal interactions with a vulnerable person. It concluded that his conduct fell short ‘of that expected of a priest in the Church of England’.
A Soul Survivor spokesperson said: ‘We are grateful to all those who bravely came forward during the NST process who were victims of Mike’s abuse, and to all those who are now contributing to Fiona Scolding KC’s review which is fully independent. We are committed to implementing the recommendations of Fiona’s report.’
The Church said that the vulnerable person had come forward and given ‘clear evidence of the harm done in their life’. Pilavachi, who may no longer minister in the Church of England, was given a written warning.
A bishop from outside the Diocese of St Albans conducted the investigation. It decided no further action would be taken on the main allegation. However it said Mr Pilavachi’s conduct had nevertheless fallen short of that expected.
