CHURCH leaders insist a parishioner who was unveiled as a paedophile played no role within the church after his arrest.

Vincent Copeland, 60, of Leigh Road, Leigh, admitted three counts of possessing indecent images of children at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court earlier the month.

The former teacher, school governor and magistrate was arrested on Thursday, November 19 last year and charged on Sunday, May 29.

Members of the congregation at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Leigh Road, alleged Copeland continued to play an active role in the church after both dates.

Before publishing the claims, The Echo made several attempts to contact Brentwood Diocese, which oversees the church, but received no reply.

A message was left with Monsignor Canon Kevin Hale at the church but no reply was received.

The Brentwood Diocese has now spoken out, insisting all safeguarding procedures were followed.

A spokesman said: “As soon as the Diocese of Brentwood was notified last year of a concern about Vincent Copeland by the local authority, national safeguarding policies were followed and a clear safeguarding plan was put into immediate effect by the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator.

“This plan was with the full agreement of both the local authority and the police, who then carried out their investigations.

“The Diocese continues to work closely with both organisations.

“Mr Copeland resigned as a school governor and had no role within the Leigh parish from the time of that notification.

“At no time has he been a lay preacher, given out communion or led any service, or acted as choirmaster.”

The spokesman denied claims made by parishioners that perverted Copeland, who admitted posing as a 14-year-old boy in online chats, led a service at the church the day after he was charged.

The diocese added that the church’s safeguarding coordinator made a brief statement to members after Copeland was charged, but did not share details because of the ongoing court case.

Copeland, who called himself Anono Mus on Facebook, previously served on Southend Council’s children and lifelong learning scrutiny committee, was a former teacher at Thorpe Bay School – now Futures College- and a school governor at St Thomas More High School, in Westcliff.

Copeland is due to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, July 11.