Bishop is accused of sexual assaults in Walsall
A former bishop is to face trial over four charges of sexual assault against two women, the Express & Star can reveal.
Michael Ward, a former serving bishop of The Old Catholic Church which has its UK headquarters in Rugeley, Staffordshire, will appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court next month.
Two of the alleged instances of sexual assault against a female took place three years ago in Walsall in September 2015 and a year later in August 2016.
The other two identical charges are based on alleged incidents against another woman in London in September and November 2017.
Ward denies all four charges.
The 71-year-old, of Water Lane, Edmonton, London, had served the autonomous and independent church from 2013 to 2016, UK Archbishop Most Rev John Lycett said.
Rev Lycett added: “As he is not a member of the church it would be unwise to answer any more questions as the police are dealing with this.”
The Old Catholic Church’s UK base is at The Priory Church of St Thomas, Hawksyard Priory, in Rugeley.
It also has oratories in Staffordshire, Walsall and Shropshire.
The church has an apostolic succession of bishops, it claims, which can be traced to the early middle-ages.
Its bishops, like the priests and deacons, are unpaid. They instead ‘receive payment for the good works they do’, according to an online publication by the church.
Only men can become priests at the church.
The publication states: “All our bishops hold valid lines of Apostolic Succession and as such are able to offer a totally valid priesthood to suitable men of high moral standard.”
The church claims to be ‘the best kept secret in Christendom’.
Ward previously appeared at Walsall and Highbury Corner magistrates courts on February 15 and October 5.
He last appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on April 13, ahead of his trial which will begin on July 9.
West Midlands Police confirmed it had charged Ward with two of the alleged sexual assaults, with the other two taking place in London.
A spokesman said: “Unemployed Michael Ward, of Water Lane, Edmonton, was charged by West Midlands Police with two counts of sexual assault on a female.
“The 71-year-old is due to appear before Wolverhampton Crown Court for trial.”
