Ex-Priest Gets Second Lifetime Ministry Ban for Abuse

A former priest, David Tudor, has received a second lifetime ban from ministry following a church tribunal's findings of grooming and sexual abuse. The tribunal concluded it was more likely than not that Tudor engaged in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl identified as "Z" between April and September 1984. This misconduct occurred while Tudor was a chaplain and RE teacher at St. Bede's school in Redhill.

This is the second ban for Tudor, with the first issued in October 2024 after he admitted to sexually abusing two other girls between 1982 and 1989. The Southwark Bishops' Disciplinary Tribunal deemed his actions "egregious and of the utmost seriousness." The victim, Z, stated that the abuse and grooming had a lifelong impact, contributing to an attempt to take her own life.

The police became involved in early 1987, leading to a 1988 trial where Tudor admitted to having sex with Z when she was 16 but denied earlier abuse. He was acquitted of the earlier charge. Following a finding of misconduct, the Bishop of Southwark suspended him for five years the subsequent year. In December 2024, a BBC investigation highlighted significant failings in the Church's handling of Tudor's case over decades.

Tudor refused to attend the latest hearing, claiming the victim was untruthful and her complaint was being used against the church. This was rejected by the tribunal, which found Z's account clear, consistent, and cogent. The tribunal noted the serious consequences, including Z losing her Christian faith due to the abuse.