MIDLAND BISHOP, 70, CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF CHILD RAPE
A Catholic bishop has been formally charged with rape following an inquiry conducted by Staffordshire Police.Bishop David James Oakley, aged 70 and residing in Desborough, Kettering, faces two counts of rape involving a female under the age of 16.
The charges were issued after his arrest in September of the previous year, in response to an allegation reported to authorities.
He is scheduled to appear before Cannock Magistrates’ Court on August 14.
Ordained in 1980, Oakley has served in various parishes across the Archdiocese of Birmingham before being appointed by the Holy See to the Diocese of Northampton in 2020.
A statement from the Diocese of Northampton acknowledged that Bishop Oakley has been charged following an investigation into past safeguarding concerns.
The diocese noted that the situation is likely to cause distress to those involved but emphasized they cannot comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings.
They advised that anyone with safeguarding concerns should reach out directly to the diocesan safeguarding team or law enforcement, providing contact details for the safeguarding team as 01604 723514 or [email protected].
