Church knew about allegations before Cornish preacher went on to abuse boys, investigation reveals
Pauline Hodgdon May 25, 2018
Cornwall Live
By Martin Freeman
The diocese failed to investigate the accusations against Jeremy Dowling
A leading figure in the Church of England in Cornwall went on to commit child sex offences for several years after allegations about his behaviour with young boys were raised with the diocese and not acted upon, an official investigation has revealed.
The diocese failed to investigate the accusations against Jeremy Dowling, a lay preacher, allowing him to rise to influential positions including communications officer to the bishop, an independent review for the church concludes.
The report, released today, says there were "historic failings" within the diocese in dealing with the allegations, first raised in 1972. There was "ongoing knowledge" of the situation among senior figures in the diocese "well into the 1980s" with references to "a big fat file" on Dowling.