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| Bishop of Monmouth Richard Pain Source: South Wales Argus |
The Bishop of Monmouth farce continues.
The South Wales Argus has picked up an obscure note from the Agenda of the Governing Body which meets at Cardiff's City Hall 1 - 2 May for their headline Bishop of Monmouth Richard Pain should continue on church panel for 'another six years', report recommends.
Item 7 on the Agenda, Report of the Standing Committee (PDF) presents recommendations following the committee's meetings going back to to 29 November 2018 and 14 February 2019. From this the Argus has picked up, or, more likely, was fed:
"11. Under the procedure for appointing to the Panels of Chairs and Assessors members are reviewed after six years. This year two members of the Panel of Chairs came up for review, Mrs Helen Biggin and the Right Reverend Richard Pain. The Committee recommends that they are re-appointed for a period of a further six years. The Committee also recommends the appointment of His Honour Judge Andrew Keyser QC to the Panel of Chairs for a period of six years. Recommendation 1 "
Translating a self-perpetuating old boy/girl system to imply a vote of confidence in the bishop of Monmouth is absurd. The bishops and their minions have become a self serving elite. They are completely out of touch with reality.
Bishop Richard Pain has been absent for ten months despite there being no case to answer in relation to the dispute. The 2019 Chrism Mass was celebrated in Newport Cathedral by archbishop John Davies.
The verdict of many Monmouth clergy was to travel to Bristol where the Bishop of Ebbsfleet was celebrating for the reaffirmation of their ordination vows.
It's not only the Monmouth clergy voting with their feet (and their giving) AB.
ReplyDeleteThe recommendation of the report is irrelevant as Bishop Richard has agreed to retire.
ReplyDeleteThe Archbishop is due to make an announcement at GB
Tonge, Williams and Mason will be delighted. They made unsubstantiated allegations against their Bishop, rejected the conclusions of an independent investigation, refused to participate in a mediation process and have ground him into submission.
ReplyDeleteI have been told Shirley mentioned in his address at the ill fated Monmouth Chrism Mass, the Diocese is bruised and hurting, which is an understatement, and all this said in a cathedral half closed with rot and a stuck main door. Perhaps the state of the cathedral is representative of the Diocese, moral rock bottom, a senior team who are deaf to what they have done and continue to do, and pewsters deeply unhappy. A divided, blooded and very bruised diocese.
ReplyDeletePP. What a very sad end to a time served wonderful ministry. My prayers go out to Bishop Richard. I so hope he is given the decency of a farewell to His Diocese.
ReplyDeleteThe Church will now loose a safe pair of hands, the place will never be the same. Shame, blame and such, should fall upon the hands that stole the crozier and mitre.
I just pray the successor is a healing man of vision and pastoral care, by God's grace the diocese needs it.
A man?
DeleteDon't be so naiive PP.
One of the coven will be a slam dunk for the post, even Peggy the Pilate.
PP Thanks LuxEt Veritas if she gets it with 2 years to retirement, God help the people. Or could the diocese by absorb into Llandaff
ReplyDeleteThe Diocese of Monmouth is in meltdown and many are leaving the sinking ship, 4 Area Deans have resigned. The Residentiary Canon at the Cathedral is leaving. The Bishop’s Chaplain has left. Several clergy have found new pastures (4 to Llandaff) and more will follow. Some Easter services were cancelled and parishioners are voting with their feet.
ReplyDeleteHowever the Dean and Archdeacons are still there and Shirley will have some reassuring words at the GB.
Is there any hope?
There have been more repercussions at Callaghan Square.
ReplyDeleteThe Head of HR and the HR Business Partner, who were both involved in the investigations about Bishop Richard, have left in mysterious circumstances in recent weeks.
Sensible move by HR Head - given that 'a close relative' (let me put it like that) is Chief Constable of SWP ...
DeletePP. The situation across the church resembles a soap opera. It's a wonder TV channel hasn't done a despaches or Tonight investigation. How much more can the pew sitters pay for. I dread to think.
ReplyDeleteA Whitehall farce?
DeleteDid Andy Pandy take up the troubleshooter post? Curious ..
DeleteDunno Geraint but in the wasteland that he has created up there in the diocese of Bangarai trouble is said to be his middle name.
ReplyDeletePP. I wonder if he will be at the GB. If he is innocent as he is, he should be there
ReplyDeleteDo you mean +Andy or +Richard?
DeletePP. +Richard. I doubt it now the announcement is out.
Deletehttps://www.churchinwales.org.uk/news/2019/04/bishop-of-monmouth-to-retire/
ReplyDeleteBob