A vicar who was banned from driving for two years after crashing the Bishop of Lincoln's car while three times the legal alcohol limit has been appointed to a new role in the Church of England.
Father Sion Hughes Carew, who was nicknamed 'the Vicar of Tiddly' following the incident, is now serving as a curate at St Michael and All Angels, a Grade II listed church in Chiswick, west London.
He was banned from driving in March for smashing the Bishop of Lincoln Stephen Conway's £48,000 Kia Sportage. The crash occurred in October when Fr Carew, barefoot, drove from Lincoln Cathedral and collided with a parked Skoda Octavia owned by Brian Meagher, the partner of actress Heather Bell. Footage of the incident showed the car rolling backward into a garden wall and railings.
At his first mass at the new parish on August 9, Fr Carew reportedly thanked parishioners for their "loving welcome" and for extending hospitality, which included trips to the opera, theatre, galleries, concerts, and a football match.
Some former parishioners from Lincoln expressed dismay at the appointment. One anonymous parishioner described it as a "cover up," stating that the drink-driving matter was not dealt with properly and that Fr Carew "seems to have got off with that."
"He has just gone from one thing to another and not really had to face the consequences of what he has done," the former parishioner added. "He has been off sick from our parish and then straight into this new role."
Fr Carew's profile on Crockford's Clerical Directory, a directory for clergy, has been updated to reflect his new position. As a curate, he will assist the senior vicar with sermons and parishioner visits. This role is typically held by apprentice vicars for two to three years before they move to their own churches.
Fr Carew is living with parishioners at St Michael and All Angels, rather than in a church-funded house.
An announcement dated August 4 from the acting Bishop of Lincoln, Nicholas Chamberlain, informed parishioners of Fr Carew's departure, stating, "Many of you will know the last few months have been a particularly challenging period. I understand there will be mixed emotions following the announcement. We pray for the next steps of Fr Sion's journey – that God may hold and lead him."
When approached for comment, Fr Carew stated he had nothing to say about his new appointment.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of London confirmed that Fr Carew's appointment followed "careful consideration." The spokesperson added, "Following the penalty, he received earlier in the year from the Church of England, alongside the court's fine and two-year driving ban, The Revd Sion Hughes Carew is able to minister again in the Church of England."
The diocese stated that the parish of St Michael and All Angels, Chiswick, inquired about Fr Carew filling a vacancy. "The Diocese of London worked with the parish to ensure that safer recruitment processes were carried out, including the necessary employment checks and taking up of references," the spokesperson said. "These steps have all been completed and the Diocese and parish have ensured additional training and support are in place, given the previous incident for which Fr Sion has apologised."
Bishop Conway, whose car was driven by Fr Carew, has since been suspended from his office following an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault.