Rector says financial irregularities were accounting errors
Monday, 17th February 2014.
The Rector of Haverhill says accounting mistakes have caused the 'financial irregularities' which could see him at the centre of a police investigation.
Canon Ian Finn has been given extended bishop's leave for him to assist Church authorities in establishing exactly how much money is involved.
Canon Finn has repaid to the Diocese of St Edmundsbury what he believes to be the amount concerned, connected with payments for weddings and funerals, but admits a lot more work needs to be done to establish the exact financial position.
The congregation at St Mary's Church was stunned yesterday morning to have a statement about the situation read out to them by the Archdeacon of Sudbury, the Ven David Jenkins.
Canon Finn was not present, as he was on leave already booked prior to the latest developments, and this leave has now been extended by the acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev David Thomson.
The Church has made the local police aware of the situation, and they will be involved in the investigations.
John Howard, spokesman for the Church of England in Suffolk, said: “The Venerable Dr David Jenkins, Archdeacon of Sudbury, and the Rev Canon Ian Finn have discussed financial irregularities within Canon Finn's work for the Church.
“The irregularities relate to the payment of part of the fees that should have been passed to the diocese for services taken, including weddings and funerals.
“Ian has explained that this was entirely the result of administrative and accounting mistakes, rather than any deliberate acts.
“He has already refunded to the diocese what he currently believes to be owing. He acknowledges that a great deal more work needs to be done by him, with the assistance of an accountant, to ensure that the accurate financial position is established.
“Ian is currently on leave, booked some time ago before the financial irregularities came to light, and the Acting Bishop, the Rt Rev David Thomson, has agreed to extend that leave to enable Ian to devote his time to assisting in the investigation, which will be complex.
“He has already co-operated fully over the matter and will continue to do so. Ian has been offered pastoral support and we hope that his Church family will be understanding and support him and his loved ones while he is not with them.
“The diocese is arranging for the church to be cared for by other local clergy while Ian is away and the Rev Cheryl Collins is to act as rural dean with immediate effect.”
A spokesman for the churchwardens at St Mary the Virgin, Haverhill, said: "Ian is currently on leave. Church life is continuing and we will be supported by other local clergy who will take benefice services, minister to the needs of our congregation and ensure the smooth running of our church during his absence.”
Canon Finn has been the Rector of Haverhill and Withersfield since 2006 and prior to that was vicar of the Wickhambrook group of parishes. Until this week he was Rural Dean of Clare and during his incumbency had to take over both the Clare and Kedington groups of parishes for periods while they were appointing new rectors.
The joint benefice of Haverhill and Withersfield is staffed by three clergy, Canon Finn, the curate the Rev Manette Crossman and the Missioner Captain Andrew Payne, who will continue to work with outside help to cover the ministry of the parish.
Canon Ian Finn has been given extended bishop's leave for him to assist Church authorities in establishing exactly how much money is involved.
Canon Finn has repaid to the Diocese of St Edmundsbury what he believes to be the amount concerned, connected with payments for weddings and funerals, but admits a lot more work needs to be done to establish the exact financial position.
The congregation at St Mary's Church was stunned yesterday morning to have a statement about the situation read out to them by the Archdeacon of Sudbury, the Ven David Jenkins.
Canon Finn was not present, as he was on leave already booked prior to the latest developments, and this leave has now been extended by the acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev David Thomson.
The Church has made the local police aware of the situation, and they will be involved in the investigations.
John Howard, spokesman for the Church of England in Suffolk, said: “The Venerable Dr David Jenkins, Archdeacon of Sudbury, and the Rev Canon Ian Finn have discussed financial irregularities within Canon Finn's work for the Church.
“The irregularities relate to the payment of part of the fees that should have been passed to the diocese for services taken, including weddings and funerals.
“Ian has explained that this was entirely the result of administrative and accounting mistakes, rather than any deliberate acts.
“He has already refunded to the diocese what he currently believes to be owing. He acknowledges that a great deal more work needs to be done by him, with the assistance of an accountant, to ensure that the accurate financial position is established.
“Ian is currently on leave, booked some time ago before the financial irregularities came to light, and the Acting Bishop, the Rt Rev David Thomson, has agreed to extend that leave to enable Ian to devote his time to assisting in the investigation, which will be complex.
“He has already co-operated fully over the matter and will continue to do so. Ian has been offered pastoral support and we hope that his Church family will be understanding and support him and his loved ones while he is not with them.
“The diocese is arranging for the church to be cared for by other local clergy while Ian is away and the Rev Cheryl Collins is to act as rural dean with immediate effect.”
A spokesman for the churchwardens at St Mary the Virgin, Haverhill, said: "Ian is currently on leave. Church life is continuing and we will be supported by other local clergy who will take benefice services, minister to the needs of our congregation and ensure the smooth running of our church during his absence.”
Canon Finn has been the Rector of Haverhill and Withersfield since 2006 and prior to that was vicar of the Wickhambrook group of parishes. Until this week he was Rural Dean of Clare and during his incumbency had to take over both the Clare and Kedington groups of parishes for periods while they were appointing new rectors.
The joint benefice of Haverhill and Withersfield is staffed by three clergy, Canon Finn, the curate the Rev Manette Crossman and the Missioner Captain Andrew Payne, who will continue to work with outside help to cover the ministry of the parish.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)