Statement from the Diocese of Shrewsbury on jailed church deacon Alan Morris

The offences against minors committed by Alan Morris when he was a teacher at St Ambrose College are a source of great sadness and regret to the Diocese of Shrewsbury.

Our thoughts and our prayers are very much with the innocent victims of the abuse carried out by Morris.

We would like to assure them that the Diocese of Shrewsbury is totally committed to ensuring the safety of all children and vulnerable people in our parishes, schools and institutions.

When in autumn 2012 the Diocese was alerted to allegations against Morris it reported them to the police without hesitation and, acting fully in accordance with nationally-agreed and stringent safeguarding guidelines of the Catholic Church, immediately withdrew Mr Morris from active ministry as a deacon.

None of the offences was committed within the context of that ministry.