Fr Dennis Finbow, a retired priest of the Diocese of East Anglia, has today (January 31) been convicted of three historic (non-recent) child sexual abuse offences at Huntingdon Crown Court.

Fr Finbow was charged in January 2022 by officers from Cambridgeshire Police with the offences relating to his service as a Catholic priest in Peterborough in the 1980s and 1990s.

Following a six-day trial, Fr Finbow has been convicted by a jury of three counts of indecent assault on a child and found not guilty of the remaining three offences. He has been released on unconditional bail for sentence at Huntingdon Crown Court on March 8.

Rt Rev Peter Collins, Bishop of East Anglia said: “Following Fr Finbow’s conviction, I shall now be seeking urgent legal advice regarding initiating the process of his laicisation (removal of his clerical status and rights), in accordance with our safeguarding policies and procedures.”

Fr Finbow has been retired and not in active ministry since 2001. Prior to his retirement he had served in parishes in Peterborough and St Neots, Cambridgeshire.  

Bishop Peter said: “The safeguarding of children and vulnerable people is of paramount importance to the Catholic Church and the Diocese of East Anglia has co-operated fully with the police and other statutory authorities throughout this investigation. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim in this case and also other victims of child sexual abuse.  We would encourage any victim of child sexual abuse perpetrated within the Catholic Church context to make contact either directly through our Safeguarding Office or with Safe Spaces, our Victim Support Service.

“Should anyone have any concerns or queries about the Dennis Finbow case then I would encourage them to contact Mick Thurley, our Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator on 07429 215344.”