Priest suspended after walking out on wife and two children to start new life with secretary

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:11 AM on 24th August 2010

A priest has stunned his congregation by walking out on his wife and two children to start a new life with his married personal secretary.

The Reverend Peter Ballard has been suspended and faces being banned from the priesthood after his affair with mother-of-two Val Beetham was discovered.

Rev Ballard, 55, quit as canon at Blackburn Cathedral, Lancashire, and left his post as diocese's director of education in charge of schools.

Mrs Beetham was the canon's secretary, based at Church House, in Blackburn, and it is believed the affair had been going on for months.

The father-of-two resigned from his roles at the end of July and went on holiday with his mistress to avoid the scandal.

Mrs Beetham, the secretary of Accrington Theatre Group, and Rev Ballard both left their partners to move in together.

Rev Ballard's wife, Helen, is a religious education teacher.

The Blackburn Diocese confirmed the scandal, saying: 'The Rev Canon Peter Ballard has tendered his resignation to the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, following the breakdown of his marriage and after announcing his intention to form a new relationship with another woman.'

A Blackburn Diocese spokesman declined to comment on the identity of the woman with whom Rev Ballard had the affair.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, said: 'I know this will be a time of sadness for all those affected by this decision, and my thoughts and prayers are with them. I hope the privacy of those close to him will be respected.

'I remain grateful for all that Peter Ballard has contributed to this Diocese, and the Church of England, particularly in the field of education.'

A tribunal will decide what action the diocese will take. The Reverend faces being banned from the priesthood for life.

Similar cases have seen clergy removed from office in the Church of England for up to 10 years.

It is not known if Mrs Beetham is still employed with the Blackburn Diocese.
Fred Kershaw has been appointed as acting director of education.

Rev Ballard was brought up in the North West and has lived in Lancaster for the last 15 years. He has been a governor of St Martin's College for the last eight years and has served as acting chair.

He has also been director of DBE Services Limited, a joint venture between all the North West Dioceses to provide 'high quality educational services' across the region.

Rev Ballard was made Archdeacon of Lancaster in 2006, but quit this role in April, blaming a gradual increase in his additional responsibilities.

In 2001, Rev Ballard, as director of education, said he was 'saddened' to hear of a Preston headteacher who had resigned after an extramarital affair.

From: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1305630/Priest-suspended-walking-family-start-new-life-secretary.html