Following the Penalty Hearing on 6th March 2023 for the Church of England Birmingham under the Clergy Discipline Measure concerning misconduct in public office, Helen Greenham, having been suspended from public office from October 2020, was prohibited from ministry for life and from holding public office in the Church of England.
Helen Greenham accepted the complaints of misconduct in public office brought against her under the Clergy Discipline Measure which addressed her failure to disclose the behaviour of her husband, Peter Jenkins (Greenham) to the church.
The Rt. Revd Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston, Acting Bishop of Birmingham, in response to the publication of the transcript of the Penalty Hearing, stated,
“The very serious misconduct of Helen Greenham, which placed others at risk over a considerable period of time, makes it inconceivable that Helen should return to minister in the Church of England. The findings of the Tribunal are very clear and I fully endorse the upholding of the penalty as proposed, namely, removal from office and prohibition from ministry for life.
The Church of England Birmingham and I are deeply grateful for the courage of those who came forward in relation to events that led to formal complaints being investigated under the Clergy Discipline Measure. We are profoundly saddened by the serious subversion of trust her misconduct displayed.
I am also grateful for the work of all our Safeguarding colleagues to ensure our robust systems were closely implemented, which led to the police investigation of Peter Jenkins (Greenham), and his resulting conviction.
We understand and continue to respond to the acute distress suffered by all affected. With the conclusion of the Penalty Hearing, pastoral support continues to be offered to those within the Parish of Solihull, in which Helen Greenham was minister.”
CofE Birmingham safeguarding processes continue to heed and learn from the voices of Survivors, to shape its offer of pastoral care and on-going nationally embedded safeguarding systems. In addition to encouraging people to come forward through contacting the police, they can also contact the CofEB Diocesan Safeguarding Officers or Safe Spaces, as they choose.
The Clergy Disciplinary Measure (CDM) is the Church of England’s formal process for addressing a complaint against a member of CofE clergy, where this complaint relates to misconduct in public office. It does not address criminal offence, where in every instance the police are notified and proceed to investigate.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a safer church for everyone including those who are survivors of abuse.
If you have any concerns about a child, young person or adult who may be vulnerable, or someone who works/volunteers for the Church of England Birmingham, please contact:
CofE Birmingham Bishop's Safeguarding Adviser
Call 07342 993 844 or complete our online referral form here.
Safe Spaces is an independent and free support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church. They can be contacted via telephone or email
Email: safespaces@firstlight.org.uk
Tel: 0300 303 1056
The helpline is open Monday - Friday 9am - 9pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm and Sunday 1pm - 5pm
Website: https://www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/
The Domestic Violence Helpline number is 0808 2000 247
Ensuring that victims and survivors who disclose abuse within the Church of England receive appropriate support is a central pillar of the Church’s approach to safeguarding. The response and support that victims and survivors can expect from the Church is outlined in the House of Bishops’ guidance “Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse”. An summary is available on the Church of England website here.
The Tribunal’s misconduct finding can be read of the Church of England website: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/legal-services/clergy-discipline/tribunal-decisions