A CHARITY has restated its support for patron Sister Frances Dominica in the wake of allegations of historical sexual abuse.

React – which works with terminally ill children – said it was proud to have the 72-year-old nun, pictured, as its patron and that she had been “open and clear” about allegations made in 2013 that two women had been abused in Oxford between 1980 and 2000.

Sister Frances “wholly” denies the allegations and the Crown Prosecution Service never brought charges.

Trustees of the hospice said the decision was taken 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.

In a statement published on its website, React said it had “complete faith” in the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to prosecute Sister Frances.

It said: “React was formed through the inspiration of Sister Frances Dominica and believes that every child should enjoy a quality of life, no matter how short that life may be.

“Sister Frances has at all times been open and clear about allegations in 2013 that were reviewed and dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service; she has cooperated with our enquiries and has kept React’s board of trustees fully briefed.

“React takes the safeguarding of its families very seriously and has continually assessed the development of the police enquiries relating to the allegations through the provision of documents shared with us by Sister Frances and her solicitor.

“We have found absolutely no reason to exclude Sister Frances from React’s activities and fully accept, and have complete faith in, the CPS decision.

“We are proud to have Sister Frances as our patron.

“The board of React will continue to support her and her work with terminally ill children.”