THE Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Methuen, will face a church court later this year.

He was suspended from his duties in September after formal complaints about his behaviour were made to the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, and will now face 22 charges of misconduct.

Bishop Packer announced the decision on Sunday in a statement read out to the congregation of Ripon Cathedral.

The Dean faces one charge of serious persistent or continuous neglect of duty and 21 charges of conduct unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in holy orders.

In his statement, the Bishop said: "Following my last statement of September 19, an independent examiner has considered the formal complaints against the Dean, laid before me under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963. The examiner has decided that there is a case to answer on all 22 charges. A consistory court will determine these charges later this year."

The Dean is adamant he has an answer to all the complaints.

He will remain suspended on full pay until the matter is resolved.

Bishop Packer asked the congregation to continue to pray for the Dean and his family and for those responsible for the life and ministry of the cathedral.