“I just wanted Mr Devamanikkam to be accountable for his actions and thereby give me some peace.”

Well not quite.
He lodged a claim for compensation with one of the more "famous" compo firms who solicits for claimants in adverts.

his solicitor thinks allegations equal guilt and the court process, even though frustrated, is possibly just a formality:
“deeply frustrating that Michael will be unable to see his abuser stand trial and face secular justice”.

I'm not sure persistently writing to the Church over the years is the way to go. Why not direct to police in the first place if it was that important?

JK2006 wrote:
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/07/...enager-is-found-dead

It implies that the "child" would be over the age of consent if it happened today.

Isn't it bonkers for society to recognise an injustice and raise the age of consent, but then prosecute people for doing what society now recognises as the correct thing?(a long time ago)

Again, many would say this is a trivial case - only one death, after all (some closer to home feature three - so far); very little media coverage (just the Guardian which loves these MeToo stories) - it reflects so many aspects of the False Allegations Industry which has gone rather quiet lately but is flourishing.

hedda wrote:
I'm not sure persistently writing to the Church over the years is the way to go. Why not direct to police in the first place if it was that important?
Good question. It's also odd that "Michael" should have been "ordained as a C of E priest but resigned his post four years ago". If you had really been abused by a C of E priest, wouldn't you be inclined to steer well clear of them?

"David Greenwood, Michael’s solicitor...."

Also involved in the humongous Medomsley detention centre claims:

"Solicitors Rob Casey, Caroline Chandler and David Greenwood are assisting ex-inmates of Medomsley Detention Centre and have extensive experience of helping ex-inmates of detention centres and prisons."
www.switalskis.com/medomsley-detention-centre-charges/
2012: "David Greenwood...has dealt with all the Medomsley victims' cases, representing 26 abused boys so far." (source)
2015: Medomsley abuse: More than 1,000 men report attacks
2017: Former detention centre staff face abuse and misconduct charges ("Seven men who worked at Medomsley detention centre near Consett are being prosecuted after inquiry involving almost 1,500 ex-inmates ...David Greenwood ..., who represents many of the Medomsley victims, said: “I am pleased that, finally, Operation Seabrook has resulted in criminal charges.")