Herefordshire vicar offers resignation (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire vicar offers resignation

4:57pm Friday 20th July 2007 in News By Ian Morris

THE vicar of Kingstone and four other rural Herefordshire parishes has resigned following his conviction for child pornography offences.

The Rev. James Morrish was sentenced to a three-year community supervision order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years at Worcester Crown Court on 17th July.

"James Morrish came to see me this morning and offered his resignation with effect from Tuesday the 17th July when he was sentenced," said Bishop Anthony Priddis.

Mr Morrish had pleaded guilty to eleven counts of making indecent photographs of children at an earlier hearing on 26th June 2007.

He has been suspended since the issue first came to light and the police became involved, 21 monhs ago.

He has been living in the vicarage with his wife and two children on full pay during that suspension.

This will now come to an end with effect from Tuesday 17th July.

The five parishes, Kingstone, Clehonger, Eaton Bishop, Thruxton and Allensmore have already started the process for finding a new vicar although it is likely to be the end of the year before anyone is appointed.