Dear Editor,
In the 1950s, fellow pupils and I were briefly but regularly abused by the visiting school doctor during medical examinations. He cunningly interwove legitimate undressing with his own predilections (see my letter published in The Independent 23 January 2016). That remains the most horrific memory of all my school days, doing lasting damage.
I am sickened that in all its ethical troubles the church has paid more heed to status than to Scripture. 1 Timothy 5.19-21 tells us: ‘Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and do nothing out of favouritism.’
In her report to the Church of England, into the case of Peter Ball, former Bishop of Gloucester, published in June this year, Dame Moira Gibb refers to 16 victims and one suicide, way above the total of three (required by the apostle Paul).
A headteacher who recently raised this subject with me was placing far too big a decision on one man’s shoulders.
Yours sincerely,
