Bishop of Northampton Charged with Two Counts of Rape

Bishop David Oakley, 70, of Northampton, England, has been charged with two counts of rape involving a girl under the age of 16, according to Staffordshire Police. He was ordained a bishop on March 19, 2020 (pictured).
The charges come after his arrest in September 2025, following the reporting of an allegation to police.
Monsignor Oakley is scheduled to appear before Cannock Magistrates' Court on August 14.
In a statement, the Diocese of Northampton confirmed that the charges stem from an investigation into what it described as "non-recent safeguarding allegations."
"We understand that this will be very distressing for all concerned but cannot comment further on an active legal process," the diocese said.
There has been no public statement from Bishop Oakley admitting or denying the charges. He is presumed innocent.
Picture: David Oakley © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk, CC BY-NC-ND, #newsQyrlkxtntj