A Nottingham Reverend is alleged to been witnessed engaging in sexual activity with members of his congregation by children and young people, a review claims. Victims who say they suffered abuse have come forward to reveal the shocking allegations about the Church of England's Michael Hall, who died in June 2021.
Revd Michael Edward Hall was born in 1932, and later deaconed in June 1969. He served his curacy at St. Margaret Aspley until 1973 when he became incumbent of St John the Divine, Bulwell.
The unsettling stories about the priest however relate to when he moved to St Margaret’s in Tyler's Green, High Wycombe in 1981. He became incumbent and later retired on April 13, in 2000.
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The questions into what was happening at the church while he was in church were prompted by the tragic death of a former member of the congregation, who took her own life in January 2020. On learning of the death, the current vicar raised serious concerns with the diocesan safeguarding team about the past behaviour of Michael Hall towards members of the congregation including the deceased.
An investigation, which is ongoing, has heard from victims who detailed disturbing stories of what they said was going on at the church over a prolonged period of time. Members of the review team, which was commissioned by Diocese of Oxford, believe that the claims about Revd Hall’s behaviour would be described as "spiritual abuse".
This would include coercion and control, manipulation and pressuring of individuals, through the misuse of religious texts and scripture and providing a ‘divine’ rationale for behaviour. Statements provided to the diocese during the course of the investigation also suggest adult sexual activity between some members of the congregation took place during the same period.
According to survivor accounts, these were witnessed by children and young people. The review also took into account a further claim of financial abuse involving a significant sum of money.
Further interviews and statements will now be sought by the diocese ahead of an independent Lessons Learned Review to be commissioned later this year. The diocese aims to "properly understand" the circumstances behind what happened and the actions of senior clergy at the time.
Anyone who came into contact with Michael Hall, and also the partners and children of those who encountered him, are asked to come forward with information. A confidential independent helpline is available.
The Rt Revd Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham, has met with those who have come forward during the investigation so far and has apologised to each of them on behalf of the Church for what Michael Hall did. Reflecting on the safeguarding investigation and his meetings with the victims, Bishop Alan comments: "I have heard stories that books weren’t allowed in the church, it was only the word of Michael Hall that carried weight. Anyone who didn't fit in was apparently bullied and cajoled by him until they did, or they walked away.
"Sexualised behaviour between some members of the congregation and Hall appears to have been witnessed by children and young people and then spiritualised by him as acceptable. The people I spoke to described feelings of being trapped and experiencing distorted family lives that persist to this day.
"I am in no doubt that what happened was wrong and I think that there can be no excuse for Halls actions. I am truly sorry for what happened here in Tyler’s Green and encourage anyone with further information to come forward."
The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham has confirmed its support for the investigation and learning review, adding: “We deplore all forms of abuse and would urge anyone who has information relating to Revd Michael Hall to assist the Diocese of Oxford in this process”.
