538:
to respond promptly and vigorously to the cries and accounts of victims. We followed our instincts in trusting those fellow priests who were in fact criminals." In
December 2018, he denied that he covered up the 1968 accusation since he had revealed it to the police during their enquiry and was only trying to avoid civil action, but admitted that he was wrong in not revealing the accusation to Tolkien's accusers. He also stated that he was contacted by lawyers acting on behalf of the Tolkien family who did not want the archdiocese to reach a settlement or accept liability, as Tolkien could not defend himself.
1191:
the note, which on the face of it suggests that Fr
Tolkien admitted those allegations, and was possibly sent for treatment. Aside from that treatment, it seems no action was taken in 1968, and certainly no action was taken by Archbishop Couve de Murville in 1993. Neither matter was reported to the authorities."
522:, authorised a payment of £15,000 in an out-of-court settlement to Carrie without admission of liability in 2003 after the archdiocese was sued by him. Lawyers representing the archdiocese had concluded that Carrie was "likely to satisfy the (civil) court, Fr Tolkien abused him in the manner he alleges."
537:
At a hearing of the
Inquiry, a lawyer representing the accusers claimed that diocesan documents showed Nichols being aware of allegations involving Tolkien, but deciding to reach a settlement in order to avoid disclosing them. Nichols apologised in November 2018 stating, "Often in the past we failed
369:
reported that a tape-recorded conversation allegedly with John
Francis Reuel Tolkien was heard by one of its journalists, in which "a man said to be him is heard discussing his childhood during the 1920s" and stated that he was a victim of sexual abuse by at least one of his father's colleagues as a
1190:
Jacqueline Carey, counsel to the inquiry said: "As part of
Archbishop Couve de Murville's 1993 inquiries, he appears to have read a note from 1968 which alleged that Fr Tolkien had made some Boy Scouts strip naked. The actual note is not available but we have Archbishop Couve de Murville's note of
533:
was made aware of an allegation made against
Tolkien about him forcing scouts to strip naked during the 1950s, and had made a note about it in 1993. She added that this note seemed to be based on another note from 1968 and Tolkien seemed to have admitted to being responsible, but De Murville never
1049:
Investigators said there is evidence to suggest Fr
Tolkien admitted the abuse. The evidence emerged in a note uncovered during a week-long series of hearings of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which is examining the Archdiocese of Birmingham's response to allegations made against
1226:
As part of
Archbishop Couve de Murville's own inquiries, he appears to have read a 1968 file note which alleged that Fr Tolkien had made some boy scouts strip naked. The actual note is not available but the Archbishop's note of the 1968 note, on the face of it, suggested that Fr Tolkien admitted
1118:
492:
Allegations of child sexual abuse against
Tolkien were first reported to the police in 1994, but no action was taken. The allegations were never proven nor was Tolkien convicted. He had denied the allegations while he was still alive. The
1275:
1050:
four priests including Fr
Tolkien. The note "on the face of it suggests that Fr Tolkien admitted those allegations, and was possibly sent for treatment," Jacqueline Carey, counsel to the inquiry, said.
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containing photographs and memories of the Tolkien family and giving an account of their father's life to celebrate the centenary birth anniversary of J. R. R. Tolkien.
676:
911:
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763:
390:, teaching 60 children every week and organising efforts for rebuilding the church's schools. From 1950 to 1957, he was a curate at the English Martyrs Church in
731:
514:(CPS) in December 2001 and Tolkien was informally questioned in January 2002. In February 2002, the CPS decided not to charge him because of his ill health.
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began their enquiry and interviewed alleged witnesses after Christopher Carrie, one of the accusers, contacted them in 2001. A file was sent to the
873:
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526:
468:
In 1987, he and his sister Priscilla began identifying the large collection of family photographs. In 1992, they released a book titled
437:
in 1966. He held the position until 1987 and a new school was constructed under his watch. He returned to Oxford in 1987 and settled in
1203:
638:
1510:
1490:
1036:
276:
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Tolkien was one of four Catholic priests in Birmingham included as part of a wider investigation into the Catholic church by the
332:
where he decided to become a priest during his final year. Acting on the advice of the Archbishop he decided to study English at
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411:
284:
1495:
1343:
1317:
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priest of the Knutton Roman Catholic Church during this period, before shifting to Hartshill. He became the parish priest of
668:
903:
1175:"Truth about priest Tolkien 'must be told' Victim's daughter demands publication of father's banned book alleging abuse"
1240:
756:
530:
1389:
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reported the matter to the authorities. However, the original 1968 note no longer existed at the time of the trial.
499:
made allegations against him in an article published soon after his death in January 2003, but was censured by the
461:
of the 159th English Martyrs Scout Group in Sparkhill. He was also a benefactor to the Elizabeth Trust charity of
1505:
847:
788:
698:
611:
1174:
1119:"Cardinal denies covering up actions of sex abuse claim priest who was son of 'Lord of the Rings' author"
500:
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who had baptised him and served as his father's legal guardian. He received his formal education at the
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255:(16 November 1917 – 22 January 2003) was an English Roman-Catholic priest and the eldest son of
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441:, serving as the parish priest at its St. Peter's Catholic Church until he retired in 1994. A
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402:, where he served as the chaplain of University College of North Staffordshire (now
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1375:
403:
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309:
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117:
69:
529:. Counsel to the Inquiry, Jacqueline Carey, stated that Archbishop of Birmingham
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454:
407:
287:. During his lifetime and after his death, there were a number of allegations of
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for presenting them as facts when they had never been proven in a court of law.
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552:
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874:"Roman Catholic cardinal denies covering up actions of sex abuse claim priest"
484:. He died on 22 January 2003 after suffering from declining health for years.
1459:
1439:
1414:
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1268:"Cardinal denies claims he covered up abuse allegation against Tolkien's son"
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against him: he was questioned by the police but never charged or convicted.
123:
83:
458:
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365:
345:
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938:"Archbishop apologises over handling of abuse claims against Tolkien son"
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of the church is named after him as it was built because of his support.
442:
1227:
these allegations (seeCHC000253_11) and was possibly sent for treatment.
465:
and had a shelter for victims of sexual abuse named after him in 1990.
415:
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41:
1335:
1029:"Catholic priest John Tolkien 'made scouts strip' claim not reported"
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213:
435:
Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains Church, Stoke-on-Trent
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He was ordained as a priest at St Gregory and Augustine Church in
1367:
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232:
219:
639:"JRR Tolkien's son 'sexually abused by one of father's friends'"
383:
260:
669:"Why Top Judge Threw out Libel Case Involving Tolkien Family"
1145:"RC Archbishop of Birmingham apologises to abuse survivors"
386:
from 1946 to 1950 at the St Mary and St Benedict Church in
968:"Tolkien's son is questioned over child sex allegations"
16:
Roman Catholic priest and eldest son of J.R.R. Tolkien
480:
Before his death, Tolkien had started suffering from
316:. His middle name "Francis" was in honour of Father
1238:
994:"Tolkien son will not face child sex abuse charges"
661:
1121:. Irish Examiner. 13 December 2018. Archived from
757:"History of St Peter's Catholic Church 1929-2008"
487:
340:degree in 1939. In November 1939, he went to the
1457:
1063:"Payout over allegation against son of Tolkien"
548:Child sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church
1241:"Absent cardinal criticised for abuse failure"
705:. British Newspaper Archive. 16 September 1987
675:. Bishop-Accountability.org. 26 January 2009.
1383:
1168:
1166:
904:"Mercury rapped over Tolkien son allegations"
1265:
1172:
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1476:20th-century English Roman Catholic priests
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527:Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
429:where he stayed until 1966, serving as the
1390:
1376:
1163:
931:
929:
848:"New refuge for women and children set up"
618:. British Newspaper Archive. 18 March 1977
1300:
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999:. The Birmingham Post. 16 February 2022.
854:. British Newspaper Archive. 23 July 1990
795:. British Newspaper Archive. 3 March 1986
636:
571:
277:University College of North Staffordshire
1239:Catherine Pepinster (14 November 2018).
565:
1501:People associated with Keele University
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591:
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587:
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583:
304:John Francis Reuel Tolkien was born in
1458:
1018:
897:
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812:
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637:Pepinster, Catherine (28 April 2019).
1371:
1326:
1278:from the original on 28 November 2022
1216:from the original on 16 December 2018
1151:from the original on 11 December 2018
1099:from the original on 28 November 2022
1073:from the original on 11 December 2018
1039:from the original on 28 November 2022
974:from the original on 11 December 2018
948:from the original on 28 November 2022
914:from the original on 28 November 2022
880:from the original on 13 December 2018
595:
226:Our Lady and St Peter, Stoke-on-Trent
1247:from the original on 4 December 2018
1093:"Church settles Tolkien abuse claim"
818:"Church settles Tolkien abuse claim"
725:"Guide to St Peter's Church Eynsham"
649:from the original on 7 December 2020
580:
892:
807:
737:from the original on 7 October 2021
679:from the original on 8 October 2021
457:of St Joseph's College and was the
448:
13:
1397:
1202:
1147:. Church Times. 19 November 2018.
373:
259:. He served as a parish priest in
14:
1522:
1266:Simon Murphy (13 December 2018).
1173:Mike Lockely (20 December 2018).
1006:from the original on 15 June 2022
936:Simon Murphy (12 November 2018).
828:from the original on 25 July 2020
769:from the original on 13 June 2020
279:and to two schools, as well as a
222:Roman Catholic Church (1957–1966)
1511:English people of German descent
1491:Alumni of Exeter College, Oxford
418:and St Dominic's High School in
275:. He was also a chaplain at the
205:St Mary and St Benedict Church,
1294:
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1111:
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762:. Eynsham Online. p. 11.
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717:
699:"RC Priest ends a 30-year era"
691:
630:
604:
488:Child sexual abuse allegations
1:
1481:Child sexual abuse in England
1332:J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia
1306:J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography
970:. Telegraph. 6 January 2002.
730:. Eynsham Online. p. 4.
558:
299:
1496:English College, Rome alumni
294:
231:St Peter's Catholic Church,
7:
902:Jean Morgan (15 May 2003).
541:
501:Press Complaints Commission
360:from his father in Oxford.
348:, the college was moved to
336:from where he received his
10:
1527:
1420:John Francis Reuel Tolkien
253:John Francis Reuel Tolkien
35:John Francis Reuel Tolkien
1405:
1310:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
876:. ITV. 13 December 2018.
531:Maurice Couve de Murville
512:Crown Prosecution Service
453:Tolkien also served as a
344:. Due to the outbreak of
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1358:The Tolkien Family Album
520:Archbishop of Birmingham
475:
470:The Tolkien Family Album
212:English Martyrs Church,
1435:Priscilla Reuel Tolkien
382:. He first served as a
308:on 16 November 1917 to
1506:People from Cheltenham
1430:Mabel Suffield Tolkien
852:Staffordshire Sentinel
793:Staffordshire Sentinel
703:Staffordshire Sentinel
334:Exeter College, Oxford
66:Exeter College, Oxford
1095:. BBC. 20 July 2003.
616:Birmingham Daily Post
425:In 1957, he moved to
342:English College, Rome
318:Francis Xavier Morgan
183:Roman Catholic Church
166:Ecclesiastical career
94:English College, Rome
1328:Drout, Michael D. C.
1035:. 12 November 2018.
508:West Midlands Police
330:Caversham, Berkshire
198:Congregations served
1425:Christopher Tolkien
1302:Carpenter, Humphrey
1125:on 13 December 2018
789:"Prizes for pupils"
412:St Joseph's College
400:North Staffordshire
398:. He later went to
285:St Joseph's College
138:Christopher Tolkien
1354:Tolkien, Priscilla
1352:Tolkien, John and
356:. He also studied
326:The Oratory School
289:child sexual abuse
89:The Oratory School
1453:
1452:
1345:978-1-13588-034-7
1319:978-0-54752-442-9
250:
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154:Years active
143:Priscilla Tolkien
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1410:J. R. R. Tolkien
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1069:. 21 July 2003.
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824:. 20 July 2003.
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645:. The Guardian.
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612:"Father Tolkien"
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449:Other activities
404:Keele University
310:J. R. R. Tolkien
257:J. R. R. Tolkien
118:J. R. R. Tolkien
106:Priest, chaplain
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38:16 November 1917
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374:Clerical career
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53:22 January 2003
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1399:Tolkien family
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1330:, ed. (2006).
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314:Edith Tolkien
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1295:Bibliography
1280:. Retrieved
1272:The Guardian
1271:
1261:
1249:. Retrieved
1234:
1225:
1218:. Retrieved
1198:
1189:
1182:. Retrieved
1178:
1153:. Retrieved
1139:
1127:. Retrieved
1123:the original
1113:
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366:The Observer
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346:World War II
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174:Christianity
55:(2003-01-22)
25:John Tolkien
18:
1471:2003 deaths
1466:1917 births
1445:Tim Tolkien
1282:28 November
1220:16 December
1155:10 December
1129:14 December
1103:28 November
1077:10 December
1043:28 November
1010:29 November
978:10 December
952:28 November
918:28 November
884:14 December
459:scoutmaster
443:parish hall
235:(1987–1994)
228:(1966–1987)
216:(1950–1957)
209:(1946–1950)
72:in English)
1460:Categories
1251:3 December
1184:8 February
600:p. 666—667
596:Drout 2006
559:References
416:Trent Vale
396:Birmingham
354:Lancashire
350:Stonyhurst
306:Cheltenham
300:Early life
269:Birmingham
42:Cheltenham
1336:Routledge
1209:. IICSA.
1067:The Times
653:1 January
463:Newcastle
420:Hartshill
392:Sparkhill
363:In 2019,
358:Old Norse
295:Biography
214:Sparkhill
157:1946–1994
140:(brother)
134:Relatives
62:Education
44:, England
1304:(2014).
1276:Archived
1245:Archived
1211:Archived
1149:Archived
1097:Archived
1071:Archived
1037:Archived
1001:Archived
972:Archived
946:Archived
912:Archived
878:Archived
826:Archived
822:BBC News
764:Archived
732:Archived
677:Archived
647:Archived
542:See also
482:dementia
455:governor
410:namely,
388:Coventry
281:governor
265:Coventry
207:Coventry
189:Ordained
171:Religion
145:(sister)
126:(mother)
120:(father)
1364:, 1992.
773:13 June
741:13 June
518:, then
439:Eynsham
427:Knutton
370:child.
233:Eynsham
220:Knutton
111:Parents
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858:1 June
832:1 June
799:1 June
709:1 June
683:1 June
622:1 June
576:p. 104
431:parish
384:curate
271:, and
261:Oxford
179:Church
1214:(PDF)
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728:(PDF)
476:Death
1340:ISBN
1314:ISBN
1284:2022
1253:2018
1222:2018
1186:2023
1157:2018
1131:2018
1105:2022
1079:2018
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860:2020
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655:2021
624:2020
506:The
338:B.A.
312:and
192:1946
70:B.A.
50:Died
31:Born
1033:BBC
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