Former Diocese of Natal cleric degraded

The Synod of Bishops has resolved to confirm a sentence of degradation on a former priest of the Diocese of Natal after his conviction for sexual harassment.

The Revd Roland Prince was sentenced by a disciplinary tribunal of the Diocese of Natal in July. Under the Canons, degradation is the most serious disciplinary action that can be taken against a priest. As a result the sentence has to confirmed by the Synod of Bishops. The Synod sat last week.

In the language of the Canons, a sentence of degradation “deposes from Holy Orders” a priest. It removes his or her right to be referred to as “Reverend”.

Mr Prince was convicted under the Canons of: sexual harassment, conducting himself in “a sexually immoral manner”, and involving himself in “inappropriate relationships and activities which gave just cause for scandal or offence.”

In April a board of preliminary inquiry recommended that charges be brought against him. He resigned at the end of that month. The disciplinary tribunal sat in July. Two days after Mr Prince confirmed he would attend, he indicated on the day of the tribunal he would not attend. The tribunal went ahead in his absence.

Mr Prince’s name will now be placed on a register maintained by the church’s Safe and Inclusive Church Commission to ensure that he cannot be licensed as a priest in any other Diocese.

The victims worked at or were associated with workers at the parish in which Mr Prince served. In order to protect the identity of his victims, no details of the case which may lead to them being identified will be revealed.