The curious case of the Disappearing Trustee

Here's an interesting thing. Sometime in the last 6 weeks or so, Father Gregory Chillman's name has suddenly disappeared from the list of trustees on the Trust website. When I wrote to Archbishop Vincent Nichols on 8th May, the list was:

• Rt Revd Martin Shipperlee OSB - Chairman
• Rt Revd Francis Rossiter OSB
• Revd Thomas Stapleford OSB
• Revd Gregory Chillman OSB
• Revd Alexander Bevan OSB
• Revd Dominic Taylor OSB

Now the list is:

• Rt Revd Martin Shipperlee OSB - Chairman
• Rt Revd Francis Rossiter OSB
• Revd Thomas Stapleford OSB
• Revd Timothy Gorham OSB
• Revd Alexander Bevan OSB
• Revd Dominic Taylor OSB

Father Gregory Chillman's name has been replaced with that of Father Timothy Gorham. And yet there has been nothing published on the Abbey website thanking Father Gregory on the ending of his many years of service to the school as a teacher and as a governor. Nor has there been anything on the website of St. Augustine's Priory School thanking him for his service following his recent departure from the post of School Chaplain there.

Very curious!

I think that it would be entirely reasonable for any parishioner, or any parent of a pupil at the school, to ask the headmaster or the Abbot whether Father Gregory has been placed on a restricted ministry, whether this restricted ministry has been imposed for reasons related to any danger to children that he might pose, and given his continued residence at the Abbey next door to St. Benedict's School, what measures are being taken to supervise him and ensure the safety of children.

I could ask, but the Abbot wouldn't reply to me. But any parent or parishioner could ask, and the Abbot would find it hard to justify not offering any kind of answer. If you do ask, and you get an answer, please let me know. You can comment here on the blog (anonymously if necessary) or you could send me an email. I promise I will not disclose your name if you wish to remain anonymous.