The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, said: “My first thoughts today are with the women whose courage brought this retrial to a conclusion. They have now given evidence, in full, not once but twice. It is unfortunate that that was necessary, and I am acutely conscious of the cost it has had for them. I am also conscious of the distress experienced by many others who have not been part of the criminal proceedings.
“Last year I offered an unreserved apology for the abuse of power and leadership that took place within the Nine O’Clock Service. Today’s verdict adds to that same picture, and my apology stands in full.
“Last year I also commissioned an independent Safeguarding Practice Review into how the Church responded at the time. We took the decision to delay that review until these outstanding charges had been resolved, so as not to cut across the retrial. With today’s verdict, that review will now begin, and I remain committed to seeing it through, and to acting on its findings.”
Chris Brain, the founder of the Nine O’Clock Service in Sheffield, has been found guilty of one count of rape and four counts of indecent assault, after a second trial. #ChurchTimes #ChurchNews https://t.co/F2OC9HioAn
— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) October 5, 2026
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