24 June 2026 , 17:25
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The Bishop of Northampton has been charged with two counts of rape following an investigation by police.
Bishop David Oakley, 70, of Desborough in Northamptonshire, is charged with two counts of raping a girl under the age of 16.
Staffordshire Police said he was arrested in September 2025 after a report was made to officers.
In October 2025, the Diocese of Northampton announced that Bishop David had taken "an indefinite leave of absence from his duties, citing personal reasons".
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the diocese said: “We understand that this will be very distressing for all concerned but cannot comment further on an active legal process.”
Bishop Oakley was appointed as the 13th Bishop of Northampton by Pope Francis in 2020.
He is due to appear at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 14 August.
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