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Charity allegations vicar back in the pulpit (From Daily Echo)
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Reverend David Snuggs returns to work after allegations over charity St Thomas' Handshake to Kware
9:10am Sunday 24th June 2012 in News
By Sian Davies, Senior News Reporter
The Reverend David Snuggs at St Thomas' Church, Fair Oak
A HAMPSHIRE vicar who withdrew from his post after claims were made about the charity of which he was chairman will return to work today, the Daily Echo can reveal.
The Rev Canon David Snuggs voluntarily stepped down from his ministry at St Thomas’ Church in Fair Oak after allegations were made about the work of the charity St Thomas’ Handshake to Kware, which he had led since 1997.
More than £600,000 had been raised for the fund by scores of community groups, uniformed organisations and schools in Hampshire to help support those in desperate need in the slums of Nairobi in Kenya.
The cash supports a clinic and a project building a school.
As revealed by the Daily Echo in November, the Charity Commission launched a probe into the charity’s affairs after claims were made about aspects of its work.
At the time, the trustees of the fund released a statement to say they had severed links with the figurehead of the charity in Kenya, Benn Mugisha, who had been vital in setting it up in 1995.
However, they refused to reveal what the allegations against Mr Mugisha were, or what sort of problem there had been with the work he wasdoing onbehalf of the fund.
Following the six-month probe,the Charity Commission says it is taking no further action against the charity, concluding the trustees acted properly when the allegations came to light.
A spokesman said: “Our role is focused on the trustees’ roles and responsibilities and on assessing the concerns regarding the administration of the charity’s activities in Kenya, the charity trustees fully co-operated with the Commission and we are satisfied they took proper steps to address concerns.”
However, he added advice had been given over the administration, governance and financial controls of the charity.
The work of the charity remains suspended, according to a statement from the trustees who said they wanted to discuss its future with the Rev Snuggs on his return from work. He has stood down as chairman according to the latest reports published by the Charity Commission and been replaced by Danny Stupple. Paul Johnson, the head of The Kings School in Fair Oak has also been added to the board, says the report.
The Rev Snuggs says in his statement within the report the challenge will be to find a successor for Mr Mugisha who no longer has the right skill-base for overseeing the work the charity is funding including building a school.
The Rev Snuggs’ return to work has been welcomed by the Diocese of Winchester who also carried out their own probe into the claims.
The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Tim Daykin, said: “I am pleased to announce the thorough investigations relating to the Rev Canon DavidSnuggsandhisinvolvement with the registered charity St Thomas’ Handshake to Kware have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion.”
The Daily Echo has been unable to contact Mr Mugisha for a comment.
Comments(17)
Portswoodfoke
says...
9:35am Sun 24 Jun 12
IronLady2010
says...
3:12pm Sun 24 Jun 12
In return I will now shut up as I have no evidence that God doesn't exist! x
J.P.M
says...
4:01pm Sun 24 Jun 12
Condor Man
says...
5:08pm Sun 24 Jun 12
IronLady2010
says...
5:14pm Sun 24 Jun 12
Condor Man wrote:The problem is worldwide, you place trust in someone regardless of where they come from, but your belief and faith in something blinkers the trust in mankind.
Whatever you think about Christianity David Snuggs is a good man, certainly to me and my family. I'm sure it's been a terrible time for everyone at St Thomas's and I hope he can pick up where he left off last year. The problem was in Kenya, not Fair Oak.
IronLady2010
says...
5:24pm Sun 24 Jun 12
Condor Man wrote:I appreciate and understand you have your beliefs and you are willing to believe in what a stranger tells you.
Whatever you think about Christianity David Snuggs is a good man, certainly to me and my family. I'm sure it's been a terrible time for everyone at St Thomas's and I hope he can pick up where he left off last year. The problem was in Kenya, not Fair Oak.
You must also appreciate that the Church does as much damage as it does good, as people take advantage. I'm guessing God turns a blind eye and punishes them when they're dead?
I can only live in the current world, wether a future world exists is irrelevant.
But, other than that, no opinion.
Condor Man
says...
6:42pm Sun 24 Jun 12
IronLady2010 wrote:I know this man personally so I'm pleased he's back at work. As for judgment it does say in the Bible that people will be judged when they die so you are right in a way.
Condor Man wrote:I appreciate and understand you have your beliefs and you are willing to believe in what a stranger tells you.
Whatever you think about Christianity David Snuggs is a good man, certainly to me and my family. I'm sure it's been a terrible time for everyone at St Thomas's and I hope he can pick up where he left off last year. The problem was in Kenya, not Fair Oak.
You must also appreciate that the Church does as much damage as it does good, as people take advantage. I'm guessing God turns a blind eye and punishes them when they're dead?
I can only live in the current world, wether a future world exists is irrelevant.
But, other than that, no opinion.
opera phantom
says...
8:51pm Sun 24 Jun 12
IronLady2010 wrote:IronLady.
Whilst this man is most likely innocent, I find it hard to trust a person who preaches something they have no evidence of.
In return I will now shut up as I have no evidence that God doesn't exist! x
I am sure that there is no God.
It is just one huge con. A big fairy tale and religion is the biggest cause of human misery and suffering. I am amazed that so many still believe this rubbish.
"Suffer the little children to come unto me" means that millions of children have to die every year.
freefinker
says...
11:18pm Sun 24 Jun 12
Condor Man wrote:.. whatever it may say in the bible does NOT mean it will happen. It's a book of fables and absolutely no ‘judgements’ can be determined by the words it contains.
IronLady2010 wrote:I know this man personally so I'm pleased he's back at work. As for judgment it does say in the Bible that people will be judged when they die so you are right in a way.
Condor Man wrote:I appreciate and understand you have your beliefs and you are willing to believe in what a stranger tells you.
Whatever you think about Christianity David Snuggs is a good man, certainly to me and my family. I'm sure it's been a terrible time for everyone at St Thomas's and I hope he can pick up where he left off last year. The problem was in Kenya, not Fair Oak.
You must also appreciate that the Church does as much damage as it does good, as people take advantage. I'm guessing God turns a blind eye and punishes them when they're dead?
I can only live in the current world, wether a future world exists is irrelevant.
But, other than that, no opinion.
Grow up.
BenjiWinsor
says...
7:15am Mon 25 Jun 12
The Wickham Man
says...
7:47am Mon 25 Jun 12
Portswoodfoke wrote:**** you beat me to it! (I wonder how many others get the joke)
I'm sure the money was just resting in his account
pod
says...
9:02am Mon 25 Jun 12
The Wickham Man wrote:drink, ar*s, f*&k,
Portswoodfoke wrote:**** you beat me to it! (I wonder how many others get the joke)
I'm sure the money was just resting in his account
ahh but yu'll have a cuppa tey!!
freefinker
says...
9:21am Mon 25 Jun 12
BenjiWinsor wrote:.. don't you think it deserves a dam n good slating, after all the misery and lies it has inflicted on people over the millennia?
Sad that whenever a story is published that involves a Christian it become an opportunity to slate the Christian faith.
Condor Man
says...
11:49am Mon 25 Jun 12
freefinker
says...
9:52pm Mon 25 Jun 12
Condor Man wrote:.. my objection is to the evil that is religion, not this man.
I don't think David Snuggs does deserve slatting at all. He did nothing wrong so simply by virtue of him being a Christian you feel the need to promote the persecution of him (which in law I believe is illegal).
Suggest you reread my comments.
PinkLilly
says...
3:36pm Thu 12 Jul 12
A bit like the respect that was given to the 150 year old tree....chopped down without as much as a thought or
planning permission.
freefinker says...
9:24am Sun 24 Jun 12
How hypocritical after all the noise christianity put up over Sunday opening.