26th Jun 2017

Former Bishop in child sexual abuse scandal

Peter Ball's background

Born in 1932 and educated at public school in Lancing College and subsequently at Cambridge University, Peter Ball entered theological college in 1954. In 1957 Ball was ordained as a priest in the Church commencing his ministry as a curate in Sussex, Peter Ball was a Bishop of Gloucester and Lewes. Ball held an eminent and senior position in the Church of England and counted amongst his confidantes fellow Bishops and other senior clergy.

In 1960 Ball helped to found a monastic religious community modelled on the Franciscan Roman Catholic religious. Ball believed the Church had "gone soft" and he started to practice self flagellation, fasting, praying naked in a cold chapel and sitting on a cold stone floor. One may think these were obvious warning signs of a darker side.

Early warning signs of improper conduct in the Church

There is evidence of sexual abuse and improper conduct by Ball during the 1970s and 1980’s. Ball was associating with other priests in the Diocese of Chichester who are now known to have been involved in abusive behavior. Nonetheless Ball was appointed Bishop of Gloucester in April 1992.

In 1991 Ball had met a seventeen year old lad called Neil Todd. Todd and indeed others reported that Ball had often encouraged the lads to engage in ‘spiritual’ exercises involving nakedness and cold showers. In September 1992 Ball suggested that Todd should agree to be beaten while naked so that his body should ‘bear the marks’. Ball also tried to persuade Todd to engage in sexual activity. This was too much for Todd and in late 1992 he reported the abuse by Ball. Ball was arrested and a police investigation ensued. As a result, Ball was given a police caution in 1993 and he resigned as Bishop of Gloucester.

The then Archbishop Lord Carey was informed. Ball retired but continued to receive a disability pension. No action was taken against Ball under the Church’s disciplinary procedures other than Ball was at first prevented from his ministry but in 1995 was given “Permission to officiate as a retired priest”.

Fresh scrutiny, and charges of physical and sexual abuse

In 2012 Ball’s conduct again came under scrutiny and a criminal investigation was led by Sussex Police. In October 2015, Ball who was then 83 years old was charged with the physical and sexual abuse and exploitation of boys and young men some of whom were vulnerable.

It emerged that Ball had used his position within the Church to identify victims. He admitted two offences of indecent assault and a further offence of misconduct in public office. Ball was imprisoned for 32 months. The Crown Prosecution Service admitted that mistakes had been made in 1993 and Ball should have been charged to Court and not cautioned. On learning of this Todd took his own life.

The former Archbishop Lord Carey would write of his involvement with Ball that:

"I stand by a man who, overall, has been a wonderful priest and bishop.”

Independent review published

In 2017 Dame Moira Gibb DBE published her report, The Independent Peter Ball Review “AN ABUSE OF FAITH”.

Her report concluded that:-

It was shocking that a Bishop could abuse many boys and men over a period of twenty years or more.
The Church compounded the wrongdoing by its failure to respond appropriately to Ball’s misconduct over a period of many years.
Ball’s priority was to protect and promote himself and he maligned his victims.
The Church colluded with Ball’s attitude toward his victims rather than seeking to help those Ball had harmed.
The Church’s intolerant attitude to homosexuality at the time contributed to its failure to act appropriately and Ball’s abusive behaviour was trivialized.
The Church demonstrated little understanding that men might be vulnerable when they were seeking spiritual fulfilment.

In conclusion Dame Moira Gibb noted the Church has made significant progress in recent years in its understanding of abuse, but progress has been slow. Continuing, faster improvement is still required.

We can help if you have suffered sexual abuse from members of the Church

Robsonshaw has represented numerous clients who have suffered abuse from members of the Church of England, the Catholic Church, Methodists and Jesus Army. Samantha Robson has already successfully acted for victims of Peter Ball.

If you are the survivor of sexual abuse please contact Robert Shaw on robert@robsonshaw.uk or Samantha Robson on sam@robsonshaw.uk for a confidential, free, and no obligation discussion.

Category: Church Claims