One of the remaining trustees of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, Vittoria Hancock, has resigned in the wake of Anne Dyer’s fraught return to work following multiple allegations of serious misconduct.
The Scottish Episcopal Church’s safeguarding policy stipulates that clergy accused of abuse can only be returned to work after the truth of the allegations against them has been determined and an assessment of their suitability for future ministry has been concluded.
These requirements form part of the SEC’s rules, the Code of Canons.
Dyer was charged in connection with allegations that she bullied and, in at least one case, discriminated against members of the church, including a disabled adult.
However, the church dismissed the charges against Dyer before she could be tried at a disciplinary tribunal, despite finding that there was sufficient evidence to convict her of the charges and that there was a “realistic prospect” of securing a conviction.
This appears to indicate that the church’s safeguarding policy has not been followed. The SEC claimed that dismissing the charges was in the “public interest”.
The trustees, who report to OSCR that they employ Dyer, have been asked to explain how her return is compatible with the church’s safeguarding policy given the circumstances.
It is understood that trustees have failed or been unable to do so since Dyer’s return to work was announced on 8 October.
The trustees have not publicly shared Hancock’s resignation and she remains listed as a trustee on the Diocesan website at the time of publication.
The Diocese’s full compliment of trustees is between 10 to 12. However, nine trustees have resigned before the natural end of their terms since Dyer’s consecration.
It is understood that there are currently only six trustees in post: Lorraine Paisey, Lizzie Finlayson, Julia House, Brenda Dowie, Martin Auld and Dyer.
A churchgoer said: “Good for Vittoria. I see her resignation as a clear signal that she was profoundly unhappy with some trustees’ positions and, despite her best efforts, was unable to move them.
“It must’ve taken real gumption to resign as Dyer wields significant power over her as a priest and was charged with having bullied two female ordinands, who were pushed off their paths to ordination.
“If nothing is amiss, why don’t the trustees just say so? If something is amiss, what are they going to do about it?”