SOLIHULL VICAR MISLED BISHOPS OVER HUSBAND'S CHILD ABUSE, GETS STRUCK OFF
A former vicar deliberately misled Church of England bishops by failing to disclose her husband's past child sex abuse, a tribunal found.The then Rev Helen Greenham knew her husband Peter Jenkins had committed offences over two decades but in a meeting with a bishop only disclosed his relationship with a girl of 16.Her actions allowed him to take up church positions in Solihull where he had access to children, according to the tribunal source.She was barred from ministry in March after the findings.The tribunal detailed that Jenkins, a former teacher, was sentenced to 13 years in jail in August 2022 for multiple child sex offences, including rape, committed from 1984 to 2005.
These crimes predate her role at the church, and no criminal charges have been brought against her.Ms Greenham joined the Diocese of Birmingham in 2011 and held a position as director of children and families at St Helen's Church in Solihull.The tribunal concluded that Helen Greenham deliberately misled church authorities regarding her husband's abuse, which had ramifications on her church duties and safety of children.
She admitted to being aware of her husband's misconduct, including making a girl pregnant and having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old pupil.
Despite this, she claimed to have asserted her husband was not a risk to children to church officials.The church only uncovered Jenkins' full history after their marriage broke down in 2019.
Jenkins himself had admitted to an inappropriate physical relationship with a 16-year-old girl in a letter to the Bishop of Hereford in 2007, although at the time, Greenham helped to misrepresent the severity of his misconduct and minimize it as a 'one off'.
This misrepresentation led to further miscommunication with Bishop of Birmingham, ultimately compromising child safety.In her testimony, Greenham expressed her "sadness and shame" about her husband's repeated misconduct, including involvement with underage girls.
She also admitted to her failure to disclose fully what she knew to church authorities.
The tribunal found her actions contributed to the continuation of Jenkins' access to children, which could have resulted in further harm.Jenkins was later convicted and sentenced to 13 years for his child sex offences.
Greenham was suspended from her church duties upon discovery of Jenkins' crimes and was officially struck off in March this year.Law enforcement, represented by West Midlands Police, indicated that they would continue investigations if more victims come forward.
The church's senior figures, including Bishop Hollinghurst, voiced their disappointment and emphasized their commitment to safeguarding children and responding to those affected.
