Visitation report on unhappiness at Bangor Cathedral
Madam, — I was present at the congregational meeting at Bangor Cathedral on 4 May after the publication of the recommendations of the Visitation report on the cathedral (News, 9 May). The report was published online the previous evening, and a few hard copies were available at the beginning of the meeting. I wonder how we, as a congregation were expected to reflect on and give serious thought to the recommendations.
Transparency and good governance require that people have adequate time between publication and discussion. Indeed, there are members of the congregation who do not have an online presence. This felt like an attempt to bury the outcome of the recommendations. The meeting was tense, and a considerable amount of pain and suffering were expressed by various members of the congregation. Searching questions were asked, and pain was directly expressed.
Yet, there was little in response. It felt like “a soft shoe shuffle” characterised by the well-used and meaningless phrase “Lessons have been learnt.” The real point is “What lessons have been learnt? By whom, and, more importantly, who is responsible?’’
Over the past ten years or thereabouts, the posts of Dean and Sub-dean have been subject to various failures and débâcles. Without good leadership, how can a cathedral flourish? We have no idea what the actual report says. We can only speculate that it is critical of Archbishop Andrew John and his appointments and management style. As the person ultimately responsible for the diocese and the cathedral, the Archbishop no longer enjoys, I feel, the confidence and support of the congregation and should, therefore, resign immediately.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
Madam, — The Visitation of Bangor Cathedral was instructed by the Archbishop of Wales to have “a particular focus on the choir”, to quote from the summary of the Ven. Mike Komor and the Very Revd Mike Potter. This came as a huge surprise to me as the parent of a child in the choir and was a puzzling focus. In the end, the only recommendation that they made concerning the choir is that a chaplain be appointed.
It seems that the Archbishop was trying to use a visitation process focusing on the choir to deflect attention from the very real and longstanding governance failures at the cathedral — failures that can be traced back to a string of poor decisions that he has made.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
The Bishop of Guildford and the LLF open letter
From Mr Nic Tall
Madam, — I was surprised by the claim by the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson (News, 9 May), that trust was being undermined by the House of Bishops’ management of the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, owing to expediency, lack of theological integrity, and not seeking to discern the mind of the Church.
Far from being rushed, the LLF process has been rumbling on for eight years since the Archbishops called for a “radical new Christian inclusion” in 2017. Two years were spent compiling theological resources, which were then used throughout the Church over another two years. This culminated in 2022 in the largest consultation exercise in C of E history, with more than 6000 responses summarised in the document Listening with Love and Faith.
A majority of the Church expressed their desire for the affirmation of same-sex relationships to be provided for liturgically. The House of Bishops brought modest but deliverable proposals of commending optional liturgy for blessing those in a same-sex relationship (Prayers of Love and Faith) and to replace Issues in Human Sexuality. After much debate, this was welcomed in a vote by the General Synod in February 2023.
Two years on, Issues remains in place, and the prayers have yet to be made fully available for use. Any distrust in the House of Bishops is not due to a lack of process or theological reflection, or a failure of the wider Church to express its will: we’ve had plenty of those. It comes from the House of Bishops’ failing to deliver on promises made that were welcomed in good faith.
NIC TALL
General Synod representative for Bath & Wells diocese
2 The Orchard
Dowell Close
Taunton TA2 6BN
From Mr Nigel Edward-Few
Madam, — Having read the long “open letter” from the Revd Dr Sam Wells and the Revd Lucy Winkett (Comment, 9 May), I am baffled by their apparent conflation of two quite separate issues: the current deep concerns relating to same-sex blessings and the historic divisions over the ordination of women priests and the consecration of women bishops.
As someone who continues to be totally against the former, but totally at ease with the latter, am I to still feel rebuked?
As someone who sits as a patron appointing new incumbents, I can say categorically that some of the women whom I have interviewed have outshone male candidates by miles in every respect: biblical understanding, preaching, pastoral care, complete ministry, and leadership.
I struggle hugely with appointing those in favour of same-sex unions and have, on more than one occasion, reluctantly given way on the issue to a panel majority to appoint.
Let me conclude by saying that it is the sexual nature and lifestyle that I cannot accept. I recognise that God loves us all, whatever, and I welcome those in such relationships as loved by God on the same basis and as part of his people as anyone else.
NIGEL EDWARD-FEW
5 Rose Drive
Chesham HP5 1RN
The Additional Curates Society’s governance
From the Revd David Ackerman
Madam, — I was very concerned to read the contents of your piece (News, 9 May), setting out the serious governance problems experienced by the Additional Curates Society. The charity’s loss of focus is painful enough for many of us — a pain that is only intensified by the thought that Lenten giving from predominantly poor congregations appears not to have been used for the purpose for which it was intended.
To make amends, I suggest that the Additional Curates Society use the millions that it has accrued in recent years to launch a fully transparent investment programme in support of Catholic ministry in some of the poorest parishes in our country. After all, this is the purpose for which the charity was established.
DAVID ACKERMAN
The Vicarage, Kilburn Lane
London W10 4AA
Comment on Reform UK and democracy
From Mr Geoffrey Locke
Madam, — I write as a sometime county councillor for UKIP. I did not subsequently join the Brexit Party and I do not belong to Reform UK. Your leader comment (9 May), however, appears to identify Reform’s electoral gains as part of the global threat to democracy.
It is true, of course, that the fallenness of human nature means that vox populi may not be the same as vox Dei. Nevertheless, as Churchill (quoting an unknown source) observed, democracy is the worst system of government except for all the rest.
We should be wary, therefore, of identifying a vote that we ourselves may not like with the demise of democracy itself. Perhaps apocryphally, some ex-government is alleged to have complained that “the people have failed us.” We should think it possible that our traditional parties might have failed the people.
GEOFFREY LOCKE
Narnia II, 88 Ravenscliffe Road
Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire ST7 4HX
Ethical issues for banks include the Middle East
From the Revd David Haslam
Madam, — It was, indeed, appropriate for the JustMoney Movement and others, including Share Action and the Church of England Pension Fund, to challenge HSBC — and, indeed, other banks — about their funding of fossil-fuel development. I also raised a question at the same HSBC annual general meeting (News, 9 May) about another problematic area of international banks’ funding, more or less as follows:
“In the light of the latest ‘Don’t Buy Into Occupation’ report of November 2024 by 25 European and Palestinian NGOs, showing HSBC as second in the list of financial institutions funding the illegal settlements in the occupation of Palestine’s West Bank, in the light of the apartheid system operating there and the genocide in Gaza, and in the light of the Bank’s stated commitment to human rights and international law, will the Bank commit itself to no further involvement — direct or indirect — in the 58 companies engaged in those illegal settlements, and withdraw from current commitments as soon as contracts allow?”
I asked a similar question at the Barclays annual meeting on 7 May, pointing out that it was fifty years since I first asked a question at a Barclays AGM about the bank’s support for apartheid South Africa, and I was now having to ask about support for apartheid Israel. Do the big banks ever learn? I did receive a more engaged response from Barclays, and trust that Christian share- or account-holders, large or small, in both these banks will address them directly on their involvement in climate issues and in support for what amounts to the shredding of international law in Israel/Palestine.
DAVID HASLAM
59 Burford Road
Evesham WR11 3AG
Tribute to the ‘Unknown Warrior’ Margate vicar
From Mr Vaughan Lewis
Madam, — In his article “Work of mercy in our foreign soil” (Features, 2 May), Tim Grady mentions that the Revd David Railton MC wrote to relatives about three German airmen buried in his parish. As is well known, it was his idea to create the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Through his persistence, the idea was taken up and realised during the period that he was Vicar of Margate.
As part of this year’s Heritage Open Days, on Sunday 14 September, Railton’s former church, St John the Baptist, Margate, in conjunction with Margate Civic Society, will be holding a service of choral evensong, at which a plaque commemorating Mr Railton will be unveiled by his grandson, David Railton KC.
St John’s has also commissioned a replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, which will be displayed in the church. Further details of this long-overdue tribute to a distinguished former vicar will appear on the church Facebook page.
VAUGHAN LEWIS
1 Ashley Drive, Whitstable
Kent CT5 4SU
Ordination gifts: can anyone top a tattoo?
From the Revd Martin Turner
Madam, — As the ordination season approaches, many individuals and groups will be wondering what ordination gift might be appropriate. I cannot think of any gift more unusual than that given to our curate at St Michael’s: a large upper-arm tattoo of St Michael in all his glory, which will ensure that, wherever she later serves, her time as a curate and the people she has grown to love will not be forgotten.
Can any reader beat this unusual gift?
MARTIN TURNER
22 Noverton Lane,
Cheltenham GL52 5BB
Made joyful by The Shorter Prayer Book
From the Revd Andrew Body
Madam, — How wise Bath Abbey is to ask for a later reprint of The Shorter Prayer Book (Articles Wanted, Classified Advertisements, 9 May). I treasure a first printing, which has the wonderful and apposite versicle “Endure thy ministers with righteousness.”
ANDREW BODY
17 Temeside Estate
Ludlow SY8 1LD
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