VICAR ADMITS AFFAIR WITH HOUSEWIFE

Father-of-one Tom Bodkin had planned to challenge accusations of adultery made by housewife Maureen Sievas, a church-goer who went to the Anglican vicar for counselling during the break-up of her marriage.

But yesterday his solicitor and cousin Paul Bodkin informed the Bishop of Chichester that Father Tom would not be contesting an affidavit served by Mrs Sievas, of Seaford, which detailed the affair that has rocked Bishopstone.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will now decide how to punish Father Bodkin, who quit St Andrew's Church, Bishopstone, over the affair.

Diocesan spokesman Canon Will Pratt said: "Father Tom Bodkin has made a full admission to all the accusations.

"The Archbishop of Canterbury will now be informed. He could bar Father Bodkin from ever serving again. Clearly, it is early days."

He added: "The matter has hurt a lot of people, not only Mr Bodkin's wife and child but parishioners who put their trust in him, including Mrs Sievas.

"If you take a view that he had a pastoral responsibility for Mrs Sievas, which he abused, then one has sympathy for her.

"We will be offering our support to all these people."

Before Father Bodkin's admission, the Bishop of Chichester, the Rt Rev Eric Kemp, was to launch an investigation into the allegations.

The probe was to look into all aspects of the matter, including claims that Father Bodkin's outgoing approach to the church had won him both friends and enemies in the usually quiet village.

The investigation has now been scrapped, but Mr Pratt said: "It is clear that there are divisions in that parish that need to be addressed.

"Some people in the parish were for him and some were against him."

Father Bodkin's possessions are still in Bishopstone vicarage, but he was not at home last night.

Neither he nor Paul Bodkin were available for comment.

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