Love cheat priest returns home

St Mary's congregation is said to have welcomed the rector's return

A married vicar who ran off with a Sunday school teacher four weeks ago has returned to his family.

Father-of-two, Canon Robert Oakes, 56, of St Mary's Church, Callington in Cornwall, had left his wife for Wendy McGuire, who is married with a son.

His licence was temporarily withdrawn by Bishop of Truro, the Right Reverend Bill Ind.

But the return of Canon Oakes was announced in a statement from the Bishop read to congregations in the two parishes on Sunday morning.

The Bishop's statement said: "Canon Robert Oakes has been away from the parish for the last four weeks, and I agreed that he should take a break from all parish responsibilities for the time being, and withdrew his licence to officiate.

The Bishop of Truro issued a statement to parish congregations

"While initially Robert was clearly suffering from stress, brought about largely by overwork, it subsequently became clear to all of us that Robert had become involved in a close relationship with one of his parishioners, Mrs Wendy McGuire.

"In the past month I have ensured I remain closely in touch, either personally or through those who advise me, with all of those most closely affected by this delicate situation."

The Bishop said pastoral counselling had been offered to all concerned, but the situation would not be fully resolved for some time.

"Robert's doctors advise me he is not fit to undertake any parish work in the immediate future, and consequently there is no question of his taking up priestly duties at the present time," the statement continued.

"I know I speak for both families when I say how much they have valued the prayerful support of friends and colleagues during the past difficult weeks.

We all make mistakes in our lives, and it is important for Christian people to be able to set mistakes behind them and know that they can be forgiven A Parochial Church Council member

"We are all subject to human frailty, but we are all open to divine forgiveness."

Canon Oakes has two grown-up children with his wife Susan. He has worked at St Mary's since 1995.

Mrs McGuire is married to company director Steven McGuire.

The news was welcomed by the congregations of the two churches in South Hill and Callington.

"We were aware for some time the rector has been under strain," said a member of the Parochial Church Council, who did not wish to be named.

"But we all make mistakes in our lives, and it is important for Christian people to be able to set mistakes behind them and know that they can be forgiven."

'Difficult time'

Director of Communications for the Diocese of Truro, Jeremy Dowling, said: "There are pastoral issues here which the Bishop will handle discreetly and with his customary sensitivity.

"Neither Robert and Susan Oakes, nor Steven and Wendy McGuire wish to comment any further at the present time.

"This has been a very difficult time for both families and they particularly ask that their privacy be respected while they come to terms with the events of the past month."

The Bishop has asked the Rural Dean, the Revd Andrew Wilson, to assume overall responsibility for the parish for the time being.

Its day-to-day running will remain in the hands of The Reverend Barry Jennings and the Reverend Penny Raynham.