A number of separate non-recent allegations of a serious safeguarding nature have been made against Revd David Marriott, who died in 1995. These relate to his time as Headmaster at the Canterbury Cathedral Choir School in the 1960s, and later in his role as parish priest in the Benefice of Wye and Brook.
Having made significant enquiries, we consider these allegations to be credible on the balance of probability.
We are saddened and ashamed that this has happened at the Cathedral and Diocese with our duty of care and responsibility to those in our charge. To that end, this case has been referred to our Interim Diocesan and Cathedral Safeguarding Advisory Panel Chair, Dr Liza Thompson, to consider whether the threshold for a Safeguarding Practice Review has been met.
As representatives of the Cathedral and Diocese, we apologise unreservedly to the survivors and victims, those who have come forward, all those in their cohort at the time, and to all others affected. We acknowledge the wrong and the harm experienced by the survivors and victims, and the ongoing impact this has had on survivors. We are truly sorry.
A specific complaint was also made regarding a plaque in memory of David Marriott at Wye Church. This complaint and the concerns of the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer and Archdeacon were brought to the PCC (Parochial Church Council). Following a meeting on 15 July, the PCC resolved to support an application to remove the plaque.
The relatives of David Marriott were also informed of the allegations, and offered support.
We thank those who bravely came forward to report their experiences. If there is anyone else who has any experiences or information they would like to tell us about, we welcome this and will provide support. Please contact the Cathedral and Diocesan Safeguarding teams whose details can be found at www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding or www.canterbury-cathedral.org/safeguarding/
Today, the Cathedral and Diocese have robust safeguarding measures in place to protect children and vulnerable adults. We have a duty of care and responsibility which is an extremely serious trust, and one of our most important concerns.
The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover
The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury
Additional support is available from:
Safe Spaces
Website: https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/
Helpline: 0300 303 1056 (available Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm; Saturdays 9am to 1pm; Sundays 1pm to 5pm)
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
Website: https://napac.org.uk/
Support line: 0808 801 0331 (available Monday to Thursday 10am – 9pm; Friday 10am to 6pm).