A statement from the Diocese of Leicester following the BBC News Online article.
"Following the BBC News Online article, we wish to make it very clear that Bishop Martyn did not accuse Jay Hulme of practising “witchcraft”. Indeed, he is deeply disturbed that this accusation has been made.
He did question Mr Hulme with regard to complaints that had been made against him - complaints which included (in Mr Hulme’s words in the BBC interview) reference to conducting a seance in a church (something he later described as a “joke") and reference to consulting a friend who is a tarot card reader.
The Church of England has never supported such actions and therefore it was entirely appropriate for the bishop to ask about their veracity (given that Mr Hulme is exploring becoming a priest in the Church of England). This is a long way from accusing someone of being a “witch”. "
A statement from the Diocese of Leicester regarding the former employee Venessa Pinto.
We remain deeply appalled by the serious criminal behaviour that led to Venessa Pinto’s conviction and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by her actions.
Ms Pinto was employed by the Diocese of Leicester as a Licensed Lay Minister between March 2020 and November 2022. The diocese conducted a safer recruitment process which included a full reference from her previous employer.
In January 2022, the diocesan safeguarding team was approached by an individual who was concerned about alleged anonymous online harassment, which they felt was from Ms Pinto.
The individual was supported by the diocesan safeguarding team to report this behaviour to the police.
In March 2022, a complaint was made against Ms Pinto under the diocesan complaints procedure, which was investigated by an independent HR expert.
Although the expert’s report, (received in May 2022) concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, the complaint should be upheld, the bishop did not believe there were sufficient grounds to remove Ms Pinto’s lay ministry licence.
He did, however, (on 30 June 2022) ask Ms Pinto to withdraw from ministry concerning her behaviour.
On 25 July 2022, new evidence came to light which led the bishop to immediately remove Ms Pinto’s licence and inform other church bodies with which she was involved, including General Synod and the Crown Nominations Commission.
Although Ms Pinto remained formally employed by the diocese for a further four months, she was on leave for the duration of this period and asked not to engage in any ministry. She was also asked to not contact any members of the worshipping community where she had served, at their request.
An agreement was reached to end her employment in November 2022.
Ms Pinto resigned from General Synod and the Crown Nominations Commission on 30 March 2023.
The Diocese of Leicester took the complaint about Ms Pinto seriously. It sought legal advice and is confident that it followed HR practice and due process in handling the complaint.
The police conducted their own investigation which uncovered additional evidence that led to Ms Pinto being charged. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced in May 2024
On 24 May 2024 - the day of Ms Pinto’s sentencing - the Diocese of Leicester published a time-limited statement on its website regarding the conviction.
Following Ms Pinto’s conviction, the bishop commissioned an independent review into how the complaint against Ms Pinto was handled.
As part of this, the bishop met with the complainant and others affected by these events. The bishop and diocese are committed to acting on the recommendations made in that report.
Pastoral support and counselling were offered to those affected throughout the process and the diocesan safeguarding team offered support to the complainant during the investigation and court case.
We would encourage anyone who has been affected by this to contact the diocesan safeguarding team.
It’s never too late to come forward. You will be listened to, supported, cared for, and advised.
Alternatively, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk