Catholic Priest Resigns Amid Grooming and Misconduct Charges

A Catholic priest associated with the University of Oxford has been compelled to resign after a student brought forward allegations concerning grooming and inappropriate behavior.

Father Damian Howard, who took on the role of Senior Chaplain at the Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy (OUCC) in 2023, has departed from his post after a vulnerable student accused him of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct.

The allegations state that Howard initiated sexual contact while the student was under the effects of alcohol, guided him to sleep in his bed, and removed his clothing.

Additionally, the student claimed that Howard, who characterized his position with the chaplaincy as 'pastoral,' urged him to keep the incidents secret, stating that such revelations would damage his reputation.

After an inquiry conducted by the Jesuits in Britain, it was reported that the student’s allegations were validated, leading to Howard being asked to resign, according to a statement from the OUCC.

Howard previously served as the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Britain, the top position within the organization, for six years before transitioning to his role at the OUCC.

During that time, he had publicly apologized to a victim of Peter Orr, a Jesuit priest accused of sexually abusing minors from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Howard is believed to have initially met the student in 2023, subsequently inviting him on various day trips and dinners.

The student remarked, "He witnessed the disintegration of my faith, my existence, and my emotional health; instead of providing the unbiased support one would expect from a chaplain, he exploited me for his solitude."

Following the investigation into the allegations, Howard was instructed to resign in August. However, this was not publicly announced by either the OUCC or the Jesuits in Britain, nor was there any disclosure regarding his professional misconduct.

A spokesperson for Jesuits in Britain informed the Daily Mail, "We treat every complaint with the utmost seriousness and respond with diligence. Upon receiving this complaint, the safeguarding team of Jesuits in Britain immediately initiated an investigation."

"Based on their findings, swift action was taken: Fr. Damian Howard SJ was asked to resign due to professional misconduct and has since been removed from ministry duties."

The spokesperson added, "Our process for handling complaints is structured to guarantee fairness, protection, and care. The initial assessment leads to appropriate actions, and in cases that require independent oversight, we refer matters for external evaluation."

The safeguarding investigation included interviews with relevant individuals, as well as thorough scrutiny of documented interactions between them. This comprehensive approach ensured that the situation was addressed in full.

"We are currently awaiting recommendations from the independent review and are prepared to undertake any further necessary actions," the spokesperson stated.

"While we cannot disclose specifics about individual cases while the review is ongoing, we are confident that our protocols ensure integrity in addressing complaints. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and prioritizing the wellbeing of all parties involved."

In communication with the student in October, Jesuit leaders indicated that they had not established solid evidence of 'grooming.' However, an independent review into how the complaint was managed is now underway by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CCSA).

Regarding Howard’s resignation, the OUCC remarked that he had 'been asked to resign from this position due to professional misconduct, following a student complaint that was investigated by the Jesuits in Britain and found to be substantiated.' Further comments have been requested from the OUCC.