THE woman cleric sexually harassed by the Rev Geoffrey Hewitt has sensationally quit the Anglican Church after a two-year fight to change its procedures for handling complaints against the clergy.

Mr Hewitt, who is priest-in-charge at All Saints Church, in Christian Malford, was sacked as honorary canon of Bangor Cathedral and resigned as priest of St Cedol Parish Church, Pentir, in Bangor, two-years ago, after admitting sexually harassing two female colleagues, including Dr Tanya Jenkins.

Dr Jenkins, 37, is leaving despite her case prompting bishops in the Church of Wales to adopt new guidelines for handling complaints, based on the lessons learned in her case.

But in a statement announcing her decision she said she remains concerned that Mr Hewitt was assisted by senior Church leaders to find another parish, in England.

"I was deeply distressed to learn of the arrangements that led to the securing of a new parish for the defendant in this case, and I have been deeply disappointed by the actions and attitudes of a number of high-ranking officials within the Anglican Church.

"I have come to the conclusion I can no longer continue to serve God in a public role as part of a religious institution which has caused so much anguish."

"The past two years have been an exceptionally painful time."

Parishioners in Christian Malford were not told about the clergyman's past when he came to the village, but rallied round him when the news leaked out in July last year, several months after his appointment.

Mr Hewitt declined to comment, but in a statement the Archdeacon of Malmesbury, The Venerable Alan Hawker, said the Diocese of Bristol was fully aware of the facts of the case when they appointed him.

"It should be noted that even after the church tribunal he remained as a parish priest in the Diocese of Bangor," he said.

"Soon after he came to his new post within the Diocese of Bristol details of his past became public knowledge.

"It is worthy of note that his congregations came behind him fully in their general support.

"A letter of support for his 'new start' was received from the Bishop of Bangor and all proper procedures followed regarding the taking up of references.

"Along with the Bishop, I believe that the Christian gospel speaks eloquently about repentance and the possibility of forgiveness."

Dr Jenkins has been off sick from her duties as priest-in-charge of St Cyngar, Llangefni, in Anglesey, since the Rev Hewitt's disciplinary tribunal two years ago.

She and at least one other female worker at the church's diocesan office in Bangor levelled the allegations against Mr Hewitt.

According to Dr Jenkins on one occasion after a funeral she invited Mr Hewitt back to the vicarage for tea. They were the only two in the house.

Dr Jenkins alleged Mr Hewitt placed his arms around her, embraced her and then kissed her by pushing his tongue into her mouth, and she pushed him off.

After the scandal was revealed in November 2002 there was tremendous speculation in Wales about Mr Hewitt's next appointment.

He appeared to disappear until by chance a retired clergyman from Bangor spotted him preaching at a service in the Bristol Diocese, in June 2003.