Madam,

It is to be regretted that Canon Stuart Bell wrote to your paper on behalf of Bruce Morris, a convicted paedophile, described as his friend (‘What was the point of article?’).

It is difficult to believe that, as a leading churchman, he is not more aware of the nature of paedophilia, through church courses on safeguarding, like the ones the Methodists make compulsory for all office holders, including laity.

The first thing is that paedophiles suck up to authority figures and parents to pass themselves off as trustworthy lovely people, eg Jimmy Saville having the police regularly to coffee and grooming the BBC.

Secondly, it is addictive behaviour and they can never be trusted again.

Recovering alcoholics are best to keep out of the pub, and recovering gamblers best to stay away from the bookies.

Likewise, paedophiles need to be on the sex offenders register and to stay clear of anywhere there are youngsters.

The reason publicity is important is that is the only way we can protect the vulnerable - by being aware of dangerous people and having scrupulous child protection practices.

Canon Bell refers to Jesus’ comments on a woman taken in adultery. Jesus was talking about a situation between consenting adults and the unjust allocation of blame to the woman. In paedophilia the victims are children. Little kids.

Almost every week there is another report in your paper of a paedophile, often a man with authority and respect, being convicted. There must be thousands of people in Ceredigion whose lives have been blighted, if not ruined by such childhood experiences. It can lead to self-harm and suicide.

What Jesus said about that, in Matthew 8:16, is ‘If anyone causes one of my little ones, who believe in me, to stumble, it would be better for them to have a millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea’. He was on the side of those damaged and hurt. He understood the anger.

Paedophiles also present themselves as people to be pitied. Poor me! Right on cue Mr Morris has ingratiated himself with a churchman who writes to the paper on his behalf. How do you think all those wounded victims feel about Canon Bell’s allegiance?

A further quote from Jesus’ mouth, which is relevant, is Matthew 10:16. ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves’.

Yours etc, E A Lee, Aberystwyth.

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