It has been brought to our attention that Fr Alexander Johnston, who was a teacher at Bishop’s Stortford College and who also worked as a non-stipendiary minister in this area, including at All Saints' Hockerill in the 1980s and 90s, and with the Benefice of High Wych, Gilston and Eastwick during the year of 1995 and 1996 has recently been convicted of holding indecent images of children from that era of his life. A link to the story in the local newspaper may be found here: https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/jail-sentence-for-former-bishop-s-stortford-college-teacher-9450623/

Mr Johnstone has been living in Cornwall for the past 25 years. However, if you have any concerns from that time or anyone you are aware of being harmed at that time, then we ask that you please contact Jez at the St Albans Diocesan Safeguarding Team (01727 818107) or our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Cath Sharples <[email protected]> or Tel 01279 600996.

Please be assured that you will be listened to and that your concerns or information will be taken seriously.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact Safe Spaces (https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/) which is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales, or the Church in Wales.

We at St James, St Mary’s and St Botolph’s appreciate that this news may be unsettling but would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that the safeguarding measures we have in place today are robust. However, if you would like general support, do feel free to contact Revd Alison Jackson on [email protected] or Tel 0783 366 7707 or landline 01279 790145.

In the meantime, the thoughts and prayers of our church community are with all those involved in this case and with those who may be affected by this news.

Your Priest

Revd Alison Jackson