Archbishop of Canterbury strips Mike Pilavachi of award

Mike Pilavachi, founder of the Greycaine Road church Soul Survivor Watford, was the subject of a Church of England probe that concluded last year.

It found that safeguarding concerns spanning a 40-year period "from his time as a youth leader through to the current day" were substantiated.

It was found that he used his “spiritual authority” to control people and his “coercive and controlling behaviour” led to “inappropriate relationships, the physical wrestling of youths, and massaging of young male interns”.

• Documentary airs survivors' accounts of abuse at Watford church
• Review into Soul Survivor Watford's culture launched
• Soul Survivor's Mike Pilavachi given written warning

In a statement yesterday (July 3), a spokesperson for the Most Revd Justin Welby said: “Following the conclusion of the internal Church investigation into Mike Pilavachi which substantiated safeguarding concerns against him and the powerful testimony from survivors, the decision has been made to withdraw Mike Pilavachi’s Lambeth Award.

“The Archbishop of Canterbury has written to inform him of the decision.”

Rev Canon Mike Pilavachi. (Image: Soul Survivor)

Mr Pilavachi was given the award in 2020 “for his outstanding contribution to evangelism and discipleship amongst young people in the United Kingdom”.

In January, this year, it was concluded that no further action would be taken on the main allegations against the former pastor under the Clergy Discipline Measure, but he was given a written warning and was issued with advice.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA)