English bishop has court appearance over rape charge

Oakley took a leave of absence, which he and his diocese said was for “personal reasons.”

An English bishop accused of raping a minor appeared in court on Thursday, where he was ordered not to contact his alleged victim ahead of his plea hearing set for next month.

Bishop David Oakley. Credit: Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

Bishop David Okaley appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video from his lawyer’s office for …