MESSAGES of support for Sister Frances Dominica have poured in after the East Oxford nun was told not to return to the hospices she founded following historic allegations of sexual abuse.

Sister Frances – who in 1982 founded the world’s first children’s hospice, Helen House, in Magdalen Road – was said yesterday to be in good spirits and appeared at the Cowley Road Carnival on Sunday.

She has “wholly” denied claims two women were abused between 1980 and 2000 and no charges were brought by the Crown Prosecution Service following a police investigation because there was “insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction”.

The allegations did not relate to any patient or staff member from Helen and Douglas House.

But trustees of the hospices said their decision was made on the recommendation of an independent risk assessment report, commissioned jointly with the All Saints Sisters of the Poor, of which Sister Frances was formerly Mother Superior.

The report and its recommendations have not been disclosed.

Last night friends of Sister Frances said they could not believe allegations against the 72-year-old and described her as an “exceptional person” and respected figure in the community.

Their comments came after the nun’s lawyer, Lee Fisher, told the Oxford Mail on Friday that the possibility of her return to the hospice was “still under consideration”.

Sylvia Barker, 71, a friend of Sister Frances who has known her for more than 20 years, said yesterday: “She had always been the most wonderful friend to me and I know how many people she has helped, not just families but also people in the community here.

“I was shocked to see the announcement by Helen and Douglas House because she is a caring and exceptional person.

“The last thing anyone would wish is for this to cast a blight over the hospice and the amazing work she has put into setting it up and caring for so many families over the years.”

Another friend, Joan Pringle, 65, said she had spoken to Sister Frances at the Cowley Road Carnival.

The retired teacher who lives in East Oxford said: “She has worked tirelessly to make sure there is provision for terminally-ill children and I know she still cares passionately about Helen and Douglas House.

“I saw her [on Sunday] and she was in good spirits because she has masses of support behind her.”

The Oxford Mail last night approached Sister Frances for comment and her personal assistant confirmed she had received scores of notes and letters delivered to her East Oxford home.

The assistant added: “There are a great deal of messages of support.”

  • Editor's note: This story has been amended following a police admission that its original statement the allegations related to the 1970s was incorrect and the period in question was 1980 to 2000.