Peter Ball (bishop) - Bishop of Gloucester

Bishop of Gloucester

After having been translated to the See of Gloucester in 1992, he resigned from his position as Bishop of Gloucester in 1993, after admitting to an act of gross indecency with a 19-year-old man and accepting a formal police caution for it. The caution is now spent. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, said at the time, "Bishop Peter is a highly gifted and original man who has inspired many people to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ. He has been much loved, both in his diocese and in the wider church, including the House of Bishops. His resignation is therefore a cause of great sorrow." In his published memoirs, Shy But Not Retiring Bishop Eric Kemp writes, “Although it was not realized at the time, the circumstances which led to early resignation were the work of mischief makers.” At the time of the allegation it was noted that the bishop was already physically and emotionally exhausted from an ever-increasing workload. This strain was increased by ensuing police and internal church investigations lasting three months. Reflecting on these events, Ball's friends and associates said they saw parallels with Ernest Gordon's story of the shovel and with Ball's description of the priest as a fragile instrument. In the wake of the resignation, Ball received hundreds of letters of love and prayers from supporters. No grounds were found for any charges to be brought.

Writing of Ball's time as Bishop of Gloucester, Diocesan Lay Chairman Nigel Chetwood wrote of the vision of God and spiritual challenge that Ball embodied: "He brought a fresh breath of life into a perhaps too academically minded diocese.". The Bishop of Tewkesbury praised Ball's "sensitive and unstinting pastoral care and proven record of outstanding work, particularly among young people." Ball chose to set aside personal reservations on the General Synod vote for the ordination of women, and was the only bishop to abstain. In obedience to the outcome of the vote, however, Ball said he was prepared to ordain women as priests.