LONDON (RNS) An Anglican priest has been charged with helping organize scores of fake marriages to help illegal immigrants gain entry into Britain.
The Rev. Alex Brown, the 60-year-old vicar of St. Peter’s Church in the east England village of St. Leonards, is accused of running a “conveyor belt” of services to allow immigrants to wed legal British residents.
Brown was arrested July 1 in an early-morning raid that saw more than 35 officers from the government’s Border Agency storm his rectory after an 18-month investigation.
The agency charged the vicar with helping in some 180 “sham” marriages aimed at giving illegal immigrants residency rights as spouses of British citizens.
Brown was released on bail; his next court date is scheduled for July 17.
Brown also is accused of solemnizing a marriage according to Church of England rites without publishing banns, or notice of an upcoming marriage.
The Church’s Chichester Diocese issued an official statement saying it viewed the case with “great sadness and regret.”
It added that “the Church has been cooperating fully with the police and other agencies since the extent and seriousness of this matter came to light” and that it was concerned that Brown’s congregation “will be upset and hurt by the news.”
Meanwhile, a handwritten note was attached to the front door of St. Peter’s Church, reading, “All appointments have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.”
