The Spring 2019 issue of Croeso, the Llandaff diocese newsletter, has the 'Diocesan Vision' logo Where Faith Matters splashed across its front cover.
The reality is different.
Faith does not matter in Llandaff or in any other diocese in the Church in Wales.
What matters is toeing the party line. Bishops busy themselves making the Church more relevant to society, principally by championing the LGBT movement and embracing other faiths while excluding orthodox Anglicans who have kept the faith.
In Llandaff the bishop has alienated many by her high-handed managerial style moulded by the marketplace. The mystery of faith is unlikely to be conveyed successfully by a few Power Point presentations.
Doubts have been raised about her alleged consultations regarding St Teilo's in Cardiff being given over to a church plant experiment.
Also, it has been widely reported than an elderly priest has been told that if he is not fit enough to join jolly June on her jaunt to Compostela he is not fit to run his parish so he must retire. - Echoes of the bishop of St Davids trying to ditch faithful long serving male clergy!
No wonder that the Church in Wales is sinking fast.
According to the 2011 census nearly one third of people in Wales have no religion, a higher proportion than in Wales and England as a whole. A total of 58% (1.8m) gave Christianity as their belief, a 14% drop since 2001.
Numbers regularly attending Anglican Sunday services in Wales have declined every year since. Down to 0.8% of the population in 2017.
By contrast those in Wales stating in 2011 that they were Muslim was 1.5%, more than double the 0.7% figure in 2001.
Helping to encouraging the growth of other faiths at the expense of Christianity, the bench continues to embrace Islam even though Christians are reduced to living under humiliating dhimmi status in Islamic states, many of which continue to allow stoning of homosexuals and adulterers under strict sharia law.
Faith matters, particularly among Anglicans who are unable in conscience to accept the sacramental ministry of women in common with the overwhelming majority of Christians but their faith has been cast aside while favouring others and none.
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| Peace Mala. The Archbishop of Wales with supporters @StDavidsNeath. Source: Twitter @WelshMuslims |
Update [07.04.2019]
From Christian today: Brunei's draconian new laws don't just affect gay people, Christians are at risk too.
Protests have been held outside the Dorchester in London over Brunei's new gay stoning laws. Some Christians are wondering why there isn't more outcry about the threat of death to the country's Christian community.
Despite the focus of media attention on the threat to LGBT people, the laws also affect the Christian community, with conversion from Islam and insulting the Prophet Muhammad both carrying the death penalty.
"The newest and third phase of the law is difficult news for Christian converts who are expected to have to go into deeper hiding," said Open Doors USA.
The first phase, which rolled out five years ago, already curtailed the freedoms of Christians and other faiths by making it a crime to "persuade, tell or encourage" Muslim children under the age of 18 "to accept the teachings of religions other than Islam". Anyone who does so risks being fined or imprisoned.
Around two thirds of the population are Muslim and the Islamic faith is strictly enforced. In 2015, the Sultan of Brunei cancelled Christmas celebrations.
Tomas Muller, a persecution analyst for Open Doors' World Watch Research unit, said converts stand to be particularly badly affected by the latest changes to the law, with risks including separation from spouses and children, or forced divorce.
"It is to be expected that not only society will change—depending on what exactly will be considered as 'anti-Islam' –but also that the country's Christian converts will be forced to hide their faith even more carefully," he said.
Postscript [08.04.2019]
In a Provincial press release the Archbishop of Wales has condemned as "barbaric" the laws recently enacted in Brunei, as the result of which those who are in same-sex relationships and those who renounce Islam face severe penalties.
There is no suggestion that his Muslim friends joined the archbishop in his condemnation after the Church in Wales in common with all people of faith and goodwill reached out in friendship and solidarity with Muslims after the attacks on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Llandaff - WHERE FAITH SHATTERS
ReplyDeleteI am told that faith matters so much to June Osborne that those who are prepared to stand up to her, and tell the truth to challenge her blatant dishonesty, are told that they must be very unhappy people. Nice.
ReplyDeleteOh, and in case no-one else mentions it, June's advanced party have not being doing their work very well. The Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela is closed for restoration work while June's happy band of pilgrims are wasting the money YOU have given to finance this pointless charabanc.
So that's episcopal double-anger all-round then. Nice. Nice.
So it’s now excruciatingly apparent why June was never made a Bishop in the CofE. It is also obvious why, given the role she played in June’s appointment and her influence in the disaster over St Teilo’s, why Peggy the Pilate was never made an archdeacon in the CofE either – despite applying for nearly a dozen archdeaconries and attending June’s ‘coaching’ courses. Make no mistake, Peggy is the organ grinder in this one. She learned how to be deceitful, and to believe it’s okay to lie to the media, at the hands of the golfing Master himself. Only this time it’s all back-firing spectacularly because June is, culturally, out of her depth; and Peggy never bothered to engage with the culture in the first place. ‘Leadership’, to use June’s favourite word, is about bringing people with you, and enabling them to be convinced by the integrity of what you do and say. Even military leaders say that, if you have to resort to discipline, you have lost the troops.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started attending Salisbury Cathedral (about 10 years ago), I was warned to keep a wide berth of ‘La Osborne’ as she was affectionately known. ‘Not a nice person’ was the persistent refrain. ‘A charming bully’ was another. A bishop once told me that June’s patronage ‘comes at a very high price’ and that furthering her own interests is what drives her.
One might have hoped that, having secured the long-prized ambition of becoming a bishop (so long denied to her) she would knuckle down, recognise that she is outside her cultural comfort zone, learn all she could about her new context, discover what is distinctive about her new diocese, make a fresh start, make new friends and – more significantly – make learning the language of her new home a priority. Not a bit of it. We are seeing June in her true colours, reverting to form, and operating as if she were still in the East End or the exclusive prosperity of the Cathedral Close in Salisbury. It is not helped, of course, that her ‘Mentor’ is not someone who understands the history and culture of Wales in depth; but a retired bishop from the USA – and we know how cross-culturally intelligent Americans are. Not. Did she learn nothing at all as a student of sociology? Or is she just consumed by power?
I was back in Salisbury last week, and went to the Cathedral on the Sunday morning. The atmosphere was completely different. As a local teacher said to me ‘It’s a much happier place, and people are looking much less anxious.’ Says it all.
In the latest edition of 'Croeso' June opines 'Caring for clergy must be one of
ReplyDeletethe most important priorities for our diocese.' That's good to know.
Do we now assume that haranguing clergy who are brave enough to tell the truth when the Diocesan bishop lies, and suggesting they must be very unhappy, is part of making care for the clergy a priority?
This woman's audacity and hypocrisy knows no end. If I were the cleric concerned, I would seriously consider proceedings under the CinW bullying policy.
As you say, Seb, it's blatantly obvious why the C of E wouldn't let her anywhere near a mitre and crosier. The fact that she ended up here in Wales shows how wobbly Shirley was in the wake of the Jeffrey John debacle, and how desperate his fellow bishops were, too. Not much to celebrate in 2020.
Sadly, the "the CinW bullying policy" is not worth the paper it is written on. Just ask the ordinand bullied out of the church last year in Bangor Diocese, just weeks before ordination: several letters to Bishop, and then Archbishop - no response!
DeleteBullying? In Bangor? I don't believe it! Well, actually, I do. And it's interesting to note how much of it is going on in the post-Cyanide Sue era. The Elders of Zion (sorry, Bishop's Council) must be one of the most toxic gatherings in the Church in Wales, as the ever-dictatorial Dean, the Three Stooges (Archdeacons) and Mrs Proudie (Diocesan Secretary) gather around their hopeless excuse for a Bishop and treat the rest of the Diocese with complete and utter contempt.
DeleteOf course anyone making a bullying complaint will be ignored. Bishops don't want statistics attached to their dioceses, nor so-called 'independent' functionaries snooping around asking difficult questions. Shirley is only in this for the big hat and stick, and will not engage in any process of resolution. Monmouth is proof enough of how hopeless he is. He should have stuck to being a dodgy solicitor.
PP Heavy reading indeed. What happened to discipline of hierarchy ? Surely when June was considered for the diocese the usual checks and balance were done? If the previous appointment was as soured as mentioned surely a warning shot would have been banging loudly on Welsh doors, or, did the John situation tarnish judgement. JJ should have been the candidate. If Llan continues this way, she will be Archbishop before we know it!
ReplyDeletePP, have you not heard of the typical managerial ploy of 'bigging up' a naff employee in order to get rid of them? It happens all the time in the Civil Service and in education. The Church has learned the art of managerialism only too well.
DeleteSeymour
Checks, PP? With Peggy in the driving seat? Cover ups will have been more pronounced than checks. Shirley not-very-politically-savvy Davies was in a pickle over the fall out from Jeffrey John. Peggy through him a lifeline when she sounded out her old chum June and was left in no doubt that June would be very interested in talking turkey. Apart from anything else, the C of E was licking its lips with glee at the prospect of June crossing the Severn Bridge and being out of everyone's hair. They would have said anything to aid this Westward move.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to know what it was really like in Salisbury under June's 'leadership', speak to a former Llandaff chorister who was a canon at Salisbury for much of June's reign of terror. Speak, too, to the previous Organist and Choirmaster there and ask what bullying and humiliation he was subjected to, especially when he dared to not make June's son head chorister. If you're lucky, you might get a former bishop of Salisbury to be ever so indiscreet after a few martinis and say how June only became Dean of Salisbury because she demanded (that's right, DEMANDED) to be put on the preferment list for a deanery. The aforementioned bishop duly obliged, and spared no breath in lobbying for her to get any deanery. Anywhere. Just so long as it was outside Salisbury. Then Salisbury fell vacant, and the rest of the C of E turned round to the poor bishop and said 'as you have been so enthusiastic about June becoming a Dean, here's your chance.'! Uuugh. When June got wind that her name might be in the frame (tipped off by the Lord Lieutenant, who was asked for a reference) it is said she herself leaked the impending appointment to a journalist just to ensure that there could be no last-minute change of heart.
Manipulative? Moi?
PP. Thank you for the guidance Friend of a former Mr Slope. It's appreciated If this is correct then there is no hope in Christ reigning in His Church, in Wales. 2020 a failed Church navel gazing at its past glories. A sad sad day for all honest, faithful congregants.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anyone has said this elesewhere, but you know an institution is locked into a profound malaise when those at the top of the foodchain start imposing unpalatable ideas, and are fearful of widespread consultation because it risks taking control away from those at the top. In that sense, it's hard to see any real way out. June's episcopacy will eventually end, and the Diocese will be in a worse place than when she started.
ReplyDeleteI read a piece in New Directions (not on my regular reading list, but seen by readers of this blog, I'm sure) about George Austin, the former Archdeacon of York, and outspoken traditionalist in the Church of England, who died recently. The (liberal) Archbishop of York, John Habgood, appointed George Austin as his Archdeacon when the machinations over the ordination of women were reaching fever pitch in the C of E. Habgood was a true liberal, who made generous provision for those whose views he did not share; and welcomed open, honest debate, even where he was contradicted. The New Directions article I read tells how, one day, George Austin had to stand up in General Synod and oppose the stance of his Archbishop. Afterwards, George Austin apologised to John Habgood. In reply, John Habgood assured him that he had nothing to apologise for because the Archbishop positively welcomed healthy debate in which his views were open to be challenged. Habgood was clearly big enough, intellectually and emotionally, not to have to control everything - or to fabricate to achieve his ends.
Can you imagine Golfing Barry welcoming this sort of approach in his radically reduced politburo that was formerly the Governing Body? Clearly, it is apparent that June Osborne cannot win the trust of the clergy and lay representatives of the Cardiff Deanery, and believes that a non-too-subtle fusion of control and deceit is acceptable. Not only is this morally questionable, it betrays a lack of intellectual resilience and strategic shallowness.
'Where Faith Matters' may be a good idea. But any vision that is imposed, and where the person associated with that vision has lost the trust of those expected to implement it, it can only flounder and, eventually, perish. I believe there was a chance that June Osborne could have done well in Llandaff. But I think the fact that her dishonesty has been so comprehensively exposed means that she has become a 'dead duck' bishop at this relatively early stage. June might have been able to turn the situation around if she promptly acknowledge the hurt she has caused, an apologised for misleading people. But that would mean more loss of control, and that is clearly intolerable to her. If only she had done her homework, listened to people other than Peggy Jackson, and appreciated the degree to which the Diocese of Llandaff was thoroughly jaded by episcopal slight-of-hand before her arrival, she would have known she was walking into a bear pit. But, as is so often the case, the English sense of superiority knows what is best. History has an annoying habit of repeating itself, over and over and over again.
Now, now ‘One That Got Away’ let’s not just yet open the cause for the canonisation Dr Habgood. Yes, even for a liberal, he had some good points. However, like most liberals he had an illiberal streak running to his core. His reputation will always be tarnished by his involvement in the tragic Fr Gareth Bennett case of the Crockford’s preface. At least William Oddie’s ‘Corckford’s File’ (several copies available via AbeBooks for a few quid) details the story incase Habgood’s official biographer tries to rewrite history.
Delete1549
One that got away: It is hard to understand how you can make a hero of Hapgood over his treatment of George Austin, whom he cruelly likened to the fat boy from Pickwick.
ReplyDeleteRob
You assume a lot, Rob. I am not sure I have made Habgood out to be a hero. I have simply stated what is the case. By their fruits shall ye know them. Whatever he once called George Austin, they became good friends and trusted one another. That's called living the Gospel of reconciliation. It stands in stark contrast to the tribal tendencies in the Church in Wales. Liberal or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteWould you be a fan of his sometime chaplain too?
DeleteRob
I think we've probably exhausted this pointless conversation, Rob.
DeleteConvenient!
DeleteRob
I visited a elderly parishioner today who had not been able to go to church for several months due to health reasons. After sharing a cup of tea and Holy Communion together she slowly lifted herself to her feet and reached for the 1930's style sideboard in the lounge opening a draw in it. From there she took out a box of gift envelopes for the collection plate. It turns out that she had placed her widow's mite in each envelope for the best part of a year and then returned it to the box ready for an opportunity to give it to the church. I could've cried when I witnessed such selfless commitment.
ReplyDeleteI am reluctant to use this story as it seems unbecoming to tell of such godly faithfulness in the same breath as calling out certain of our most senior clergy when they allow such profligate shenanigans as they do. You all know of the recent examples of which I speak. I guess it is a lesson to us all - and oh, how some of our laity put us to utter shame in godly living and then they still look up to us!
I'm with you 100% Fr.
DeleteWell said Fathers.
DeleteHere's hoping you have both told the profligate Bishopette where to stick her trip to Santiago.
C.M.G, I am ashamed to say, despite a VERY loud discussion on the phone and despite me explaining that my MS makes me very heat intolerant, I was "pressed" into going - but it's OK because the "bishop" "know(s) all about MS because I used to know someone in Salisbury with it!" Trying to go a little way toward paying back this "theft" from congregations' giving, I am paying the "Easter Offering" straight back into church funds (though I am sure the "jolly" will cost far more). I should have been much stronger, I know. Mea Culpa. D.
DeleteFr Lloyd, you should not be beating your breast for being abused by the Bishop. This is classic bully/abuser behaviour: they make their victims feel as if they've done something wrong. In the meantime, you have shown real integrity in the face of abysmal espicopal behaviour. I'm still trying to work out how all this relates to June's diatribe about 'care for the clergy' in the latest Croeso.
DeleteIf I were you, I would get a doctor's note saying you shouldn't travel to a hot climate. Then she can't touch you, because she knows the HR people will be on to her before you can blink. Management strategies work both ways, you know.
Good for you for trying Father David.
DeletePlease rest assured that you are by no means without supporters and sympathisers.
You comment raises another interesting point too.
Regular AB readers will recall the following article from the Western Mail five years ago, in April 2014, folowing the Cathedral Choir being made redundantin December 2013.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/former-llandaff-cathedral-choir-members-7025785
In response to the complaints of a "£4,000" having been paid to Bonaparte
(despite the Cathedral running annual deficits of £80k to £95k) by Messrs Mudge & Poole, the mouthpiece Morrell declared as follows:
'A spokeswoman for the Archbishop said: “The Easter offering was common practice in the Church in the days before clergy could claim expenses. It was abolished in the Diocese of Llandaff in 2012 so the former Dean, John Lewis, was the last Dean to receive it.”'
So how is it possible for you to donate your "Easter Offering" (which as far as I am concerned is rightly yours David and you should keep rather than subsidise the profligate Caiaphas Charabanc to Compostela! - Or at least give it to a WORTHY charity if you are so inclined - how about the homeless and hungry?) if such things were abolished in 2012?
Was Morrell lying to the Press then?
If so, let her come clean now.
If not, what explanation is there for the obvious contradiction?
No doubt her former colleague Martin Shipton would love to hear an explanation.
I call *Bullshit" this time since Morrell was full of crap then and still is.
DeleteOur Parish Priest was able to claim expenses in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s and also had an Easter offering.
All with the blessing of the Parish, DBF, RB and HMRC.
But then again, he was a proper Parish Priest who worked hard for and on behalf of his flock.
He had no spare time to go dabbling in the Antiques trade as a sideline and means of lining his pockets.
At a recent event in St David’s, the installation of the new Dean, I was trying to work out why I felt so anxious and uncomfortable. Then I nailed it: it was the feeling of approaching anarchy I used to experience in school when the teachers left the room during a lesson. The fear that before long some joker would do something very, very stupid.
ReplyDeleteSome Joker already has already done something very,very stupid Daisy and it wasn't God.
ReplyDelete