A high standard of integrity and service is expected of our clergy. Mostly that standard is met, but occasionally individual clergy can fall short of what is expected. When this occurs, there are three possible levels of response. At whatever level you are concerned, please be assured that your allegation of misconduct will be taken seriously.
Minor instances of inappropriate behaviour
If you are concerned about a minor incident or instances of behaviour which you consider inappropriate, you are encouraged to share your disappointment with the cleric concerned and seek to resolve it together.
Raising a formal complaint according to the Diocesan Complaint Policy for Clergy
If the attempts at communicating with the cleric have not proved fruitful, you should speak to your relevant Archdeacon. If you are unsure of who the relevant Archdeacon is please ask either the diocesan secretary (diocesansecretary@sheffield.anglican.org), or the bishop’s chaplain (chaplain@bishopofsheffield.org.uk). In the first instance the Archdeacon will follow the Formal Diocesan Complaint process for Clergy (see below).
Diocesan Complaint Policy relating to Clergy
If you feel that this has not resolved the issue to your satisfaction, then the next step in the process is to make an allegation of misconduct according to the ‘Clergy Discipline Measure’ (see below).
It is possible to miss out the formal Diocesan Complaint Process for Clergy and move straight to making an allegation of misconduct described by the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM). This is the legal process that applies to all ordained minister in the Church of England. Your Archdeacon will advise you about this, or you may choose to move straight to a CDM allegation of misconduct. It is important to know that you can do this at any time.
An allegation made according to the process described by the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM)
As described above it is possible to make a CDM allegation of misconduct immediately. Alternatively, if the formal Diocesan Complaint Process has not resolved the complaint you can then make a CDM allegation of misconduct.
Lodging a CDM allegation of misconduct is the start of a legal process. An investigation will take place into the alleged misconduct. If the matter is referred to a tribunal it is likely that you will have to give evidence in person at a hearing. If you wish to make an allegation of misconduct please click this link to the Church of England website that will tell you how to do so.
Church of England Clergy Discipline Measure
If you would like help in making a CDM allegation of misconduct please ask. The best person to contact is one of either: the bishop’s chaplain (chaplain@bishopofsheffield.org.uk), the Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham (archdeacon.sheffield.rotherham@sheffield.anglican.org), or the Archdeacon of Doncaster (archdeacon.doncaster@sheffield.anglican.org).