In late June 2026, Staffordshire Police officially charged the 70-year-old bishop with two counts of rape against a female under the age of 16. The non-recent offenses allegedly occurred in Staffordshire between February 2000 and February 2001, a timeframe during which he was serving as a parish priest for St. Giles Church in Cheadle
Current Legal Status: He is scheduled to make an initial appearance at Cannock Magistrates' Court on August 14, 2026
Vatican Intervention: On June 30, 2026, Pope Leo XIV officially sidelined Oakley by appointing Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster as the apostolic administrator to temporarily take over the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Northampton.
Statement on behalf of the Diocese of Northampton
The Diocese of Northampton can confirm that Bishop David Oakley has been charged after an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations.
We understand that this will be very distressing for all concerned but cannot comment further on an active legal process.
If you have any safeguarding concerns please contact either the diocesan safeguarding team or the police directly. Our Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 01604 723514 /safeguarding@northamptondiocese.org.
For further resources and support visit our dedicated webpage for victims and survivors and anyone hurt by abuse here.
Pope Leo appoints Archbishop Richard Moth Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Richard Moth as Apostolic Administrator sede plena et ad nutum Sanctæ Sedis of the Diocese of Northampton.
This is a temporary role, by which the Holy See ensures that the pastoral governance of a diocese will continue, when it is not possible for a diocesan Bishop to exercise his office. Therefore, the governance of the Diocese of Northampton is now canonically entrusted to Archbishop Moth.
On hearing of his appointment, Archbishop Richard said:
“I am humbled by the trust which His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has placed in me by assigning me this mission as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton, in addition to my ministry as the Archbishop of Westminster.
“I ask those whom I am called to serve to pray for me, that the Lord will continue to give me His spiritual guidance and wisdom needed to fulfil these duties.”
Archbishop Moth will continue to live and work at Archbishop’s House in Westminster, while providing support to the people and clergy of Northampton.
Statement on behalf of the Diocese of Northampton
The Diocese of Northampton can confirm that Bishop David Oakley has been charged after an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations.
We understand that this will be very distressing for all concerned but cannot comment further on an active legal process.
If you have any safeguarding concerns please contact either the diocesan safeguarding team or the police directly. Our Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 01604 723514 /safeguarding@northamptondiocese.org.
For further resources and support visit our dedicated webpage for victims and survivors and anyone hurt by abuse here.
Pope Leo appoints Archbishop Richard Moth Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Richard Moth as Apostolic Administrator sede plena et ad nutum Sanctæ Sedis of the Diocese of Northampton.
This is a temporary role, by which the Holy See ensures that the pastoral governance of a diocese will continue, when it is not possible for a diocesan Bishop to exercise his office. Therefore, the governance of the Diocese of Northampton is now canonically entrusted to Archbishop Moth.
On hearing of his appointment, Archbishop Richard said:
“I am humbled by the trust which His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has placed in me by assigning me this mission as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton, in addition to my ministry as the Archbishop of Westminster.
“I ask those whom I am called to serve to pray for me, that the Lord will continue to give me His spiritual guidance and wisdom needed to fulfil these duties.”
Archbishop Moth will continue to live and work at Archbishop’s House in Westminster, while providing support to the people and clergy of Northampton.
Sources - https://www.cbcew.org.uk/statement-diocese-northampton/
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-leo-appoints-archbishop-richard-moth-apostolic-administrator-of-the-diocese-of-northampton/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjxz24d587o
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