This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tees/7099670.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Church apology over abuse vicar Church apology over abuse vicar
(about 1 hour later)
A Church of England bishop is publicly apologising to a Teesside community where a priest abused children during the 1980s. A Church of England bishop has publicly apologised to a Teesside community where a priest abused children during the 1980s.
Trevor Ward was jailed in 1988 on nine counts of sex abuse, while in charge of Middlesbrough's St Agnes Church.Trevor Ward was jailed in 1988 on nine counts of sex abuse, while in charge of Middlesbrough's St Agnes Church.
Twenty years on, the Church is making the first public atonement of its kind, in an effort to "heal the hurt" caused. Now the Church has made the first public atonement of its kind, in an effort to "heal the hurt" caused.
The Bishop of Whitby, Rt Rev Robert Ladds, was speaking at a special service at St Agnes' on Saturday. The Bishop of Whitby, the Rt Rev Robert Ladds, lead the special service at St Agnes' on Saturday.
The Church of England said that while it cooperated fully with the criminal investigation into Ward's activities, it had not properly offered a formal apology for the harm he did.The Church of England said that while it cooperated fully with the criminal investigation into Ward's activities, it had not properly offered a formal apology for the harm he did.
Damaged lives Let us commit ourselves to actively fighting against the abuse of children Rev Margery Grange
Ward, who was in charge of St Agnes' from 1981 until his arrest in November 1987, died last year.Ward, who was in charge of St Agnes' from 1981 until his arrest in November 1987, died last year.
Bishop Ladds said: "Abuse by a priest is a terrible and shocking thing, because a vital part of a priest's work is to reach out with the love of God to people who need help and support.Bishop Ladds said: "Abuse by a priest is a terrible and shocking thing, because a vital part of a priest's work is to reach out with the love of God to people who need help and support.
"I want to offer a deep apology to the individuals who were so badly hurt and the community whose trust was abused by Trevor Ward, where he did so much harm over six years."I want to offer a deep apology to the individuals who were so badly hurt and the community whose trust was abused by Trevor Ward, where he did so much harm over six years.
"I hope that many of those whose lives were touched or damaged in any way by these dreadful events will join us to commit ourselves to a future where the Church deserves the trust people want to place in it.""I hope that many of those whose lives were touched or damaged in any way by these dreadful events will join us to commit ourselves to a future where the Church deserves the trust people want to place in it."
The service was being introduced by the Diocese of York's child protection officer, Rev Ray Morris. Files examined
The current priest in charge, Rev Margery Grange, was also making an address. During the service the congregation was asked to light candles at the altar as symbols of light and hope.
The current priest in charge, the Reverend Margery Grange, told the gathering: "Let us commit ourselves to actively fighting against the abuse of children, to ridding our society of all that harms, to listening to our children and to supporting with our time and money those in the best position to help."
Churchgoers sang the hymns Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace and Love Divine All Loves Excelling during the hour-long service.
They also listened to a Gospel reading that emphasised "the unique value of children as examples of true humility and faith".
Last month the Church of England said thousands of files would be examined in an independent review checking for past cases of sex abuse involving clergy.Last month the Church of England said thousands of files would be examined in an independent review checking for past cases of sex abuse involving clergy.