Clergy discipline

In line with the guidance from the Clergy Discipline Commission, we record on this page details of penalties imposed on or accepted by clergy as a result of a Clergy Discipline Measure process:

The Rev Peter Lambert

The Rev Peter Lambert was the subject of a complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure earlier this year. The complaint was of conduct inappropriate for a clergy person.

Peter has admitted this inappropriate conduct. The penalty, which was determined by the Bishop of Portsmouth, is a five-year prohibition from ministry in the Church of England, from May 2022. This means he is not able to lead church services or act as a clergy person during that time. After this period of prohibition, a risk assessment will be carried out before Peter is able to resume ministry.

November 2022

The Rev Simon Sayers

A Church of England disciplinary tribunal has upheld a complaint made about the Rev Simon Sayers regarding his behaviour in 2010 while he was rector of the parish of Warblington-with-Emsworth. They accepted that he was guilty of conduct unbecoming or inappropriate to the office and work of a clergy person and failed to observe and maintain appropriate pastoral boundaries.

The Rev Simon Sayers had already been prohibited from ministry for five years after accepting a penalty for previous misconduct. The tribunal has now imposed a penalty of prohibition from ministry for life. Therefore he will not be able to work as a Church of England clergyman again. The penalty reflects the seriousness of this misconduct.

August 2019

Note:

The guidance on publishing penalties changed in 2022. The current guidance from the Clergy Discipline Commission is here. CDM penalties (imposed after October 24, 2022) are now published nationally, here.