Unfaithful priest given life ban

A married priest who embarked on an "inappropriate" relationship with his deputy has been banned from the clergy.

The Reverend Canon James Tipp, 63, left his job as Rector of Snodland, in Kent, after falling for the Reverend Elaine Northern, 54, who also left her post.

The couple set up home together in February last year.

A disciplinary tribunal for the Diocese of Rochester barred Mr Tipp from any ecclesiastical posts for life, while Mrs Northern was given a 12-year ban.

The Bishop's disciplinary tribunal found Mr Tipp had acted in a manner unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders.

We hope that in time that pain will ease and all will be able to get on with their lives Statement from James Tipp and Elaine Northern

It is understood both Mr Tipp and Mrs Northern are divorcing their partners and intend to marry.

Mr Tipp had worked in the parish of Snodland with Lower Birling since 1982 and also held the post of Rural Dean of Cobham since 1996.

Mrs Northern was ordained as a deacon in 2003 after which she served as a curate in the parish.

She was ordained as a priest in 2004 and became associate rector in 2007, working closely with Mr Tipp.

In a letter to Diocesan Bishop the Right Reverend Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, the couple admitted they had gradually fallen in love during their four-year working relationship.

'Public scandal'

They said: "We hope that in time that pain will ease and all will be able to get on with their lives.

"It would be true to say our feelings have created huge moral, emotional and theological questions within us; our faith is under real stress as we struggle with ourselves and with God in all of this."

Setting out the tribunal's written findings, chairman judge Samuel Wiggs said the church took such matters "extremely seriously".

"The church must exercise forgiveness, but this does not involve pretending that something has not happened," he said.

The statement added the couple had "both been responsible for causing a major public scandal in the local community".