1os, Lambeth Palace London SEI 7JU (Sentient sat 2 March 1995, Dew Dees _% | i Hy ‘ ue rig 8 j Td a Blah of lowemer's I Vga fo.gerte | ooepe that T have a Bi 4B fi a Adncaiehy tO. Cc. tothe. service Gate Dizector of Public Prosecutions ‘E52 Quoen ane" bers ante oe‘Tue Rr. HON. Tak Restos, MP. al HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON Sta OAA, Az from Mount Marry House, of h + West Sussex, 817 sa¥ and Fepruscy 1993 re, Barbara Mille, 9.00. Director of Public Prosecutions, 4/12 Queen Anne's Gate, of 0) Twill preface this etter by saying that 1 have never weiteen previously to the D.P.P. in suppor’ ef or in Zeangone shone papers were shout to sous before yous tds oo In the cose of Peter, the Bishop of Gloucester, only secaube thie in aman whom ay vife and I come to respect profoundly during the Years he vas our suffragan Bishop of Levee, he ta a man of Innenee kindness, charity and humour, dedicated to serving God in the conmunity. "I imagine that it was just for this reason ehat Ae and hie tein brother founded their own Orders to ‘help bring people closer toa practical, religious Live: Peter, voaring Ms grey monk's robe and removed trom 11 the noreal “episcopal trappings, ‘might well be thought fesentrie Sy aoehera, Tam told, ‘Tewented te Sppoeition Of outstanding Christian sincerity and goodne! You will, Tam sure, nave received any letters from those whom he Relped, “practically and daily; in our Sueser iit never fecget he leederahip and at ve ail needed. can only be expected for someone who hat dedicated his thole aduie Iie to nelping and providing christian guiance, and. who had Just received the accolade of being made a biehop,hin suffer for the Pet further, shane) of oriainel” action seews far punishaent: do hope you wilt, not sind ay writing to you personally, and that you will take these thoughts = vhich will be Ritrorea oy hundreds ia Suenex = into consideration when reachingLambeth Palace London SE1 7JU Private and Confidential 5 Peoruary 1993, ‘The RE Rowd Peter Rall. E # a Bi i af il ry personal -eendict a youngsters should behave com Iighest possible standards of clergy entrusted with ‘ompaseion and respect’ yal ‘with priority, Moreowte, 18 is ineimbent wn Dishepeto eet a ead in euch matters.Tam sending a copy of wis to IM) ene siencp's sonscstor. toy 1 adda vord to sclovladg, a9 1 ave heard frm several quarters, the ‘scrupulous falzecs and courtesy with which your Sttlcers nave been condicting thelr enquiries into this cale, Yours sincerely ‘ Cori Coutnar a (he chief constable of Gloucester Police BeadyuareersRoyal Courts of Jue Serand Tendon W2A 211 Jang Dewe Imupedar Murdedy Usead Dern Cary EI fei Woe Wr Che Ort . Tanleye Sei fo Undeoindig Wer or WAC —laWaghnyFrom: The Rt, Hon, Lord Justice Lloyd 2 February 1993 ‘The Chief Constabl Police Headquarters, Holland House, Lansdown Road, Cheltenhan, tos. Yor five years the Bishop of Gloucester was our nearest neighbour in Sussex, and ay wife and T have known him such longer. Tam not going’ to write about the case, since T know nothing aboot What he may have done, and it would in any event be. quite improper for me to seen to be influencing the decteion which mus rest with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and’ with her alone. But at the same tine I feel I must cass on what I know about Poter ball hinself. "He is, quite simply, the most gentle upright and. saintly man 1 have cvor-nel. I’ renenber some yeare 296 hearing him preach about St. Francis, when he quoted the saying that Se, Francis had set the world in hs tears, It occurred to all of latter day St. Francis, then Pe And now he finds hinself in this appalling situation. I have ‘length on the telephone. Because of his ‘well as his position, he has obviously suffered for nore already than any of'us can imagine, and far sore than ® nore Srdinary husan being would have suffersd. Ho told ne that 4f 1¢ ‘goes on such longer, he feels he may well go off hia head. t can 1d and believe this.” I¢ is contixned by what his brother ‘Geteriorated, especially in I find dt ditficult to accept that such an avful fate could have befallen so good aman. Whatever deciaion is taken, I do not soe how he will ever recover: express these views as my ow; but I believe. then to be very wtdely shared’ snong ell the ‘people that Ietew hin and Loved Rix in Sussex.FROM THE HEAD MASTER LANCING COLLEGE SUSSEX BNISORW Ie Shorter Se cn asa Fis Stowham peru a 20th January 1993, Dear Detective Inspector Murdock, 1 an writing to you in connection with the charge that understand has been nade. against the Bishop of Gloucester, and I should like to explain to, ‘you the basis of ay kaowledge of the Bishop and Ms deal ings With young eople over the past 25 years. 1 was Head Master of Rughy School between 1967 and 1981, end then becene Head Master of Lancing Gotlege._ Father Peter, as he then vas, cine <9 preach at Rupby School In the late 1960's, and at ay’ invitation returned to the School at regular intervals thereafter, to preach end to give spiritual counsel ‘to pupils and menbers of the start. Several members of the School also become {involved tn hs work setting up the premises of the Comunity of the Glorious Ascension at Matchett in Somerset. hy wife and I'stayed at the sonastery on The spinttual influence of Father Peter asin my view of untue valve 12,nanypipits, and helped several of then to develop from fairy comsompce pail ink People ison, epratity nd strony Christin com ert ese puplls regular Chaplain and aysel? about te he received fron Father Peter, ans at to time gid we or any of the Houseastery have the slightest. cause for ansiety abovt the relationships milchdeveloved Detween Fethr Peter and thoaselves” By the tine I moved to Lancing in 1981, Father Peter had becone Btshop ‘of Lewes, and had set up the training schent for school-leavers, “cive & Year to Godt,” Subsequently he also founded the Coummnity of Little frothers at Uitlington, providing’ an introtuction to a dedlested Christian Iife for young Beople. Several ex-tancing puplis becane Involved in these scheres, and here fgain ane vas struck by thelr personal and spiritual’ developnent, and the ‘great benefit they received fron the Bishop's exenple and teachige ‘There can be no doubt that within the Church of England the Bishop of Gloucester is unique in hs capacity to communicate the Christian falsn and {Inspire young people in their quest for 4 closer relationship with God. He Igvable to achleve this because of his ovn exceptional spirituality and the Figorous self-discipline he inposes on hinself. His life style, begtming ‘itn prayer in the small hours of each morning, must be almost. tmparalleled, and 1S clearly a foundation of his spiritual Tite. From conversations with hin 1 know that the Bishop is acutely distressed by sone aspects of late 20th Century culture, Including Its accent on initerial ism and Sexual permissiveness which sake it £0 mich harder for people to realise their spiritual vocation. in this context I understand that he Mas Used acts of penttence and contrition that are an expression of ‘that concern. To the extent that young people have been involved in such penitential ‘exercises, T can soe that these may nave: been open to nisunderstanding end mis Fepresentition, especially by any vho have not grasped the “absolute” nature of the Bishop's religious coneltnent.” The Bishop aay have failed to Judoe Ui Monta.Keonta, BEth January 1999 appropriateness of such exercises for some of the young people whom he is so Hou fo help. But the one thing ot heh, fran ny fon knowledge of Ry ‘an absolutely certain ts that Mis Intention tovards all people, foun oF old, 1s wholly that of Christian corcern and compassion, and: thet ¥o hore any person would be completely abhorrent and alien to his nature, Re ney be’gulity of an innocence that fails to anticipate how his tecching and ‘exanple might be construed ~ the innocence that Is also one of Rig most velued attributes. But there cannot be any doubt. anong those who knor the Bishop vel] of his integrity, compassion and respect for 1] hunan beings, end Particularly for the young people who have gone to hin over sovnany years for help and'tesching, and who have Benefited s0 auch from his gufdence.- If I can be of any further assistance in connection with this matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Yours sincerely, Somes Veet hms Detective Inspector Wayne Murdock Central Police Station, Bearland, Gloucester.acer - i 25 JAN 1398) — 1498) Gloucestershire Constabulary Police Headquarters Holland House. Lansdown Road. Cheltenham Glos Guat 6oH Bist January 1999, Dear Bie, ‘The Rt Revd Peter Ball, Bishop of Gloucester We are aware that the Bishop is at present under suspicion concerning the alleged Indecent assault of a minor, ‘The Bishop has made a number of visite to this School over a period of more than ten years to preach and to give spinitual and pastoral pele fnce to boys and girls. In that time we and many others here have come to now him well Cranleigh is a School of approximately’ 550 pupils aged 12 to 18 years, ost of whom board. ‘It is our opinion that the Bishop's work and inflcence here have been wholly trustworthy. To put it directly, if bluntly, he has obviously spoken to many boys privately’ and confidentially yet they have ever intimated later that anything was in any way untovard. Our boys arp ‘ot notably reticent on these matters, and our work suggests that they * would be quick to sense - and to report to others ~ the possibilility of an Unhealthy presence. On the contrary, the Bishop is popular among then end areatly respected for his humanity and his obvious strength of character: We think that any investigations would usefully consider the Bishop work in schools, which is very highly regarded by both teaching staff and opie The Headmaster, who knows the Bishop equally wel, be letter and asks us to'say that it has his fullest endorsement. seen this Yours faithfully, QNetMenm Revd A.J KEEP, BA STH Revd NAT. MENON, Senior Chaplain & MA, Diptheol Head of Theology Chaplain & Housenastera ga, Te de the Boe Bolt Ds. berstrathitgy] Gabry beontented Rive Beer det rap Sine bow hat ape sa took » Law tata fore deat Mipeline pred e tient Mare telly fhe bie tok ba Rast bog by hae owas Retard bat fe sa Ges 7 til frente Ee Date Pe mo 2 a Nope ee Leyte geet raptor forte Bston, Hare han bon ata ged mon tell Prated Eke lant cb bopgte A heh at ea sas nel seg, Wey bad. tne bli ee Aeser : If Len bre fot bad, Jen tatonde ite peste batsinenng i “Ee Ceaglentute bret Br, tlw Hearymaterconfidentiad BIsHOP'S HOUSE NORWICH NR3 188 (0603) 629001 24 January 1999 forgive a letter from a complete stranger, but X have ly. during ars with two Clot sf Norfol, nd an x now breed, contrary to popular nytha, is, 1ike Bishops, approachable! I can imagine vhat a difficult and sensitive task you have regarding the allegations made against the Bishop of Gloucester. ‘eo those difficulties, but ply to say souething very briefly about this man, whom T know a His ministry, particularly to the young, has been quite exceptional. Hie gifts with the young a¥e known and deeply Sdnired throughout the land, and’ that reputation is now International. Experienced headnastere, fellow ishope and clergy often consult Bishop Peter about caring for the young, and he Binse1f on mimerous occasione has cared personally for those with problene when asked to do so. He has managed to communicate with Che young so effect nt nunbers of Young people whose fearing professions. Suffice to say that Bishop Peter is known outstanding abiisty and sensitivity, whose ministry has Deen a ‘rest blessing to hundreds of young people, and who ie held in Greut affection and adniration by all who know hin well. Guus Succurty, hee Neate (Rt Rev P.J.Nott Bishop of Norwich) ‘Te chief constable, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Holland House, Lansdown Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, cust ean.Tin Rathbone, M. HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON SW1A OAA, 26th Janvary 1993 nent for the Leves constituency knewn Bishop Peter during hie whole tine Having cone to know hin well as Bishop, as friend and as door of good works, I find it literally inconeeivable thet he would ever becone involved with alyone in the Wey the Rewspapors have described oF insinuated In all his works, and all his Life, he has shown christian husanity, care for those in nood of a helping hand oF a ping word and, especially, generous care of #0 many young men needing a good and supportive environment in unich to Feadjust their 1iv ina Positive way. In ail of this, he has drawn upon a steadfast faith and has / 4 an ability to communicate that faith and share it with others, often with the help of humour, most effectively” His Life in the church and in the Community is a shining sample of applied and practical goodness of a very special, if'not unique quality. E Sincerely hope that these facts will be borne in mind when sessing the validity of criticism from any quarter, Det. Inspector Murdoch Centrai Police Station Vearland ‘oLovucester ‘Slouces‘7, HIGH CROFT MINCHINHAMPTON GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL6 98) 2h January, 1998 Dear Chit Inspector Murdoch, Reference : The Right Reverend the Bishop of Giovester, Petr Ball gather fom some of the young Chuisina in Sussex that you have been taking statements from them about the Bishop andT hope tat it isin order forme o wie 19 you as someone who has known him forthe past thy two year and seen his involvement with young people troughout tat ime, 1 was appointed asa young man to be Headmaster of Elleamere College, ‘Shropshire in 1961 and then tobe Headmaserof Lancing in 1969 before going to be Head Master of Harrow in 1981, I reiret in 1991 and am now Chaman “of he England Sports Couneil I have been a magistrate in four counties since the early 1 first met Peter Ball when he care to preach at Eesmere inthe sutumn of. 1961 At the time he was seting up the Community for the Clorous Ascension in Stroud His influence forthe good withthe young was remarkable and I asked the Bishop of Shrewsbury if he coud be electd « Governor. This duly happened and he has governed several school since at wel a becoming Chaplain tothe Headmaster? Conference fora period of tie. (On several occasions in all the thee schools that I ed was faced ith having 10 be sharing in the monastic lie so that he coud belp them, On each oocason the boy Fetured to school and resumed normal school fe with sucess. Peter’ influence was remarkable He alo took Lenten courses; something be has done in many schools and pupils Bocked to him for confidential help and advice [At Harrow we hosted agroup ofthe young Chvstins involved inthe Bishop's scheme in Sussex. They worshipped with us and by their example spread the (Christan message ‘There has never been an occasion when any child of parents suggested that they were concerned about his relations wih the young, And tha, sadly, canot be sid about all the adults. for whom I vas responsible and over thy years of Feadsip have had to report several to the DES, andor the Police,Frally, 1 would wish to add tat there is «deep spiritual dimension to the Bishop his cum disciplined life of shor sighs with long periods of private meitation ‘aye siven him in my eyes and the ees of many. an almost saint ike quality He ithe ‘nly man that I hve ever met inthe established church who challenges one ata very deep level Hei 0 often physically exhausted by puting all other people before hs cown wellbeing, He has surrounded himself ll Ki kfe with the young. who are damaged tnd ned help. He as changed the ves of many forthe good. ‘Of course I would be prepared todo anything to see that the right action is taken and that justice is seen to: be done for all who are concered in ths inventigation ‘Youre sincerely, lan Beer. IDS Bee, CBE.THE WARDEN RADLEY COLLEGE, RICHARD MORGAN, M.A, ABINGDON : oxFoRDSHIRE Oxt4 2m Suny 24 199%, ! De “Teaneck B\nboet, : yt th me Ge bG)e Ju ye Fe hea am fe bane howe Rest Rk Reee oven a, pox’ 4 bem, ; oe ae J. nye PL yes, Ds fear be EB hae hike ry we GK, [ele ua Be Hadi, i i 4) Clee. Gea, i een e Satce| Rea He las prmcer « cxf [ ok Ele fe Seles, Aen ee Gm. G. 4 tape o Seater, he LR (neue free ps a te Ge, 4 Sy any, Pa swe BD hae 4 le cece 2 Gee oe my ton wepensee, he Anas a. 4 Linger, Fy Dien eee yy ym mu. Lee ah eye}: pes hau. hay Bab 1 te, oo po — Reams.