At the trial of Willi Stewart this is the character reference given by Archdeacon Gordon Linney.
“Gordon Linney stepped forward as a character witness. He said, he had known Willi for over twenty years and this was totally out of character with the person he knew. In fact, he categorised this incident as a once off, moment of madness.” This was to shape the judgement of Justice Dunne when he sentenced Willi.
“This was a tragedy for the family, friends and church community. The preference of the court would have been to have xxxxx present. He commended him for having informed his superiors in the church and for having made a public statement to his congregation. He also pleaded guilty and made arrangements to go to the States for rehabilitation.
He then went on to say that there were two functions that featured in arriving at a sentence, justice and law. These two strands do not necessarily meet. This was according to testimony an out of character experience…”
Was it in fact? I had talked to the Archdeacon and though it is unclear whether he received a report from Archbishop Walton Empey who told us he would report on the power dynamics inherent in Core, or whether it was a report of a sexual affair back in 1998, what was clear was that I reported the sexual affair to him on March 8, 2003.
Going on memory a DI delegation went to see Archbishop Walton Empey concerning the power dynamics inherent in Core. We were worried that with Willi’s charismatic personality and the absolute power granted to him in the Trust could lead to damage being done to people. On reflection we did not mention the issue of an affair, as at that stage there were only rumours in this regard, so we used to the opportunity to mark Willi’s card.* Also we know this consensual affair took place in 1995. Serious questions need to be asked about the word consensual in this context taking into account the disparity of power between the two people concerned. Willi was in a mentoring position and so entering into a consensual relationship was a totally unethical and at variance with even the most secular of standards. It was a moral failure of such proportions that Willi should have been summarily dismissed from his role in Core. Also it should have been brought to the public domain and the person should have received support from the leadership.
Email to Gordon Linney following a conversation on Monday morning 8/3/04
8/3/04
Dear Gordon,
It was good to talk to you in Jan and hope your holiday break is not a too distant memory. I am working with the xxxxxx family and they told me of your meeting last Thursday.
I had during AB Empey’s time raised issues concerning Willi with Baden in an interview with the AB. Walton had said, at that time that he would bring it up with the Archdeacons. Now it should be said, that Baden has a different memory from myself.
He only remembers us bringing up issues a cult of personality and abusive leadership by Willi, which had been brought to my attention at that time.
I was also informed about the issue of a homosexual affair with a member of the music group circa 1995, and I thought that was what we brought up. Have you any memory of the AB bringing any of these issues up? Around Oct ’98?*
As John seems to not have any record of it as you know.
Below I am forwarding the document I sent to John a few weeks ago. I should point out that though I disagreed with Willi, I never had a crossword with him in the 5 years we were at CORE. xxxxxx is a trustee in core.*
At the suggestion of Gordon Linney that evening of March 8 I contacted the Archbishop John Neill.
—– Original Message —–
From: “Dialogue Ireland” <dialogueireland@esatclear.ie>
To: <archbishop@dublin.anglican.org>
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2004 6:05 PM
Subject: Core
8/3/04
Dear John,
I had a chat with Gordon Linney about my visit to AB Empey concerning the situation in Core and he has no memory of Walton talking to him about it.
He felt that you might find it of help to talk to the first person involved with Willi back in 1995.
I am hoping to get someone who knows him to raise that possibility.
So it is clear that Archdeacon Gordon Linney knew about the affair in Core in 2004 and when he gave evidence in 2005.
The fact that my relationship with the Archbishop ended on March 8, as a result of my contacting him at the suggestion of Archdeacon Gordon Linney means that it must have remained in his mind as a significant reference point. Only he can answer why he gave the evidence he did in 2005?
Mike
Filed under: Abuse
