Soul Survivor founder referred to DBS

THE founder of Soul Survivor, the Revd Mike Pilavachi, is being referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), after a Church of England safeguarding review last month found that he had exhibited “coercive and controlling behaviour” that led to inappropriate relationships (News, 8 September). First announced in April (News, 6 April), the investigation was conducted by the National Safeguarding Team (NST) and the diocese of St Albans. It concluded that the safeguarding concerns reported to it were “substantiated”. They relate to Mr Pilavachi’s conduct in leadership and ministry, both before and after his ordination to the diaconate in 2012, and span 40 years, from his time as a youth leader at St Andrew’s, Chorleywood, to the current day. The Daily Telegraph later reported that the NST had referred Mr Pilavachi to the DBS for consideration on its barred list. A survivor told the paper last week: “It was a great relief to hear Mike Pilavachi could be banned from working with children and vulnerable people.” Comment

Rochester Cathedral restored shrine dedicated

TWO early-medieval saints whose shrines were lost for nearly 500 years have been commemorated in a service in Rochester Cathedral. New shrine markers for St Paulinus and St Ithamar — who were Bishops of Rochester in the sixth century — were installed at the east end of the cathedral on 24 September. Preaching during the service, the Archbishop of York said: “Please pause and pray today at the beautifully restored shrines of Paulinus and Ithamar and commit yourself to playing your part in helping those who . . . are people only tied up in themselves, to be the people of God.” He continued: “What our world needs is the medicine and the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paulinus crossed many boundaries to bring us this good news. Ithamar represents to us the astonishing fruits of that mission in the beginnings of what became an English Church.”

Rochester CathedralThe restored shrine