A quiet Friday evening shared between a bishop and a vicar spiraled into a shocking incident, leaving a trail of damage and a career hanging in the balance.
The Reverend Sion Hughes Carew, 40, had spent the night with Bishop Stephen Conway at the bishop’s palace, a gathering born from a recent friendship – Bishop Conway had appointed Father Carew to his first church earlier in the year.
What began as a convivial meeting took a dark turn when Father Carew, allegedly barefoot, drove off in the bishop’s year-old Kia Sportage. The vehicle, entrusted to the bishop for official duties, would soon be involved in a series of collisions.
Less than half a mile from Lincoln Cathedral, the Kia struck a parked Skoda Octavia, not once, but twice. The impact reverberated through the quiet neighborhood, a prelude to further chaos.
Continuing up a steep hill, the car appeared to stall, then lurched backwards, crashing through a garden wall and into the surrounding railings. The sound jolted residents from their sleep, drawing them into the unfolding drama.
At Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, Father Carew admitted to driving with almost three times the legal alcohol limit. The consequences were swift and severe: a two-year driving ban, potentially reduced with a safe-driving course, a hefty £873 fine, and additional court costs.
Witnesses described a strangely calm demeanor from the driver after the crash. One resident, whose Skoda was written off, noted the vicar appeared remarkably composed while speaking on his phone, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
Neighbors expressed disbelief, stating that such behavior was unacceptable, regardless of profession. The incident sparked outrage and questions about the vicar’s judgment and conduct.
Parishioners at Father Carew’s churches were told he was simply unwell, a cover story masking the unfolding disciplinary action. His future in the church now hangs precariously, facing the possibility of being stripped of his holy orders.
Bishop Conway now faces scrutiny regarding the circumstances that allowed his official vehicle to be taken and damaged. He maintains he had no knowledge of the vicar’s intentions and did not grant permission for the use of the car.
The Diocese of Lincoln has initiated a formal disciplinary process, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. This incident adds another layer of complexity to Bishop Conway’s recent history, following criticism in the Makin Review concerning his handling of abuse allegations.
The wreckage serves as a stark reminder of a night that shattered trust and left a community reeling, raising profound questions about responsibility, judgment, and the consequences of reckless actions.
