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21 May 2024

This week, Paula Vennells will appear before the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry to give evidence and answer questions regarding her role in the events leading to the wrongful convictions of so many sub-postmasters.

We hold in our prayers everyone who is suffering as a result of this scandal and we pray that justice will be done for all.

We understand calls for action to be taken against Ms Vennells under the Church of England’s clergy disciplinary processes. As a matter of law, we are restricted from commenting on what has or has not taken place under those processes.

It remains our hope that the Inquiry will explain both the corporate and personal failings that contributed to such a significant miscarriage of justice and in turn lead to meaningful redress for the sub-postmasters and their families.

Frequently asked questions

1) Paula Vennells’s ministry in our diocese

Paula Vennells was ordained deacon in 2005 and priest in 2006 and is licensed as a self-supporting minister – someone who gives part-time support to parish clergy for no remuneration, often alongside a full-time professional, secular career. She stepped back from public ministry in 2021 following the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the convictions of 39 sub-postmasters.

2) About the Church of England’s disciplinary process

The Church of England’s Clergy Disciplinary Measure (CDM) is a formal process established to address and manage allegations of misconduct among its clergy, ensuring accountability and maintaining the integrity of the ministry. It is legally binding within the Church’s own legal system, which works alongside the UK’s general legal system.

Church authorities, which includes dioceses and bishops, are restricted from commenting on complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure as they remain confidential until a tribunal, which is led by a High Court Judge, finds in favour of the complainant; at which point they are made public on the CofE website.

There is a common misunderstanding that church authorities have the power to “defrock” clergy. At present, the most severe punishment is for a Tribunal to impose a lifetime ban on a priest officiating. Similarly, while ‘holy orders’ can be voluntarily relinquished by a minister, there is no mechanism for any church authority to remove them.

3) Previous statements

In April 2021 the Court of Appeal overturned the convictions of 39 sub-postmasters. At that time, Paula Vennells, who was CEO of Post Office Limited from 2012 to 2019, stepped back from her parochial duties.

The Bishop of St Albans welcomed this decision, saying:

“As the son of a former sub-postmaster I express my distress at the miscarriage of justice that so many sub-postmasters have suffered. They and their families are in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad that these and earlier appeals have overturned convictions that have been found to be unjust. I am aware that there are still legal processes and inquiries to take place during which it is right that Ms Vennells stands back from public ministry.”

In January 2024, ITV aired the programme Mr Bates vs The Post Office, following with the Bishop said:

“The recent ITV dramatisation understandably rekindles the suffering and pain of the sub-postmasters and their families who are victims of the Horizon IT scandal, and anger in all of us for such a serious miscarriage of justice.
“I hope and pray that the public inquiry will explain fully the sequence of events, provide redress for the victims and hold to account the responsible people and organisations.”