It has been reported in the South Wales Argus that the process to elect a new Bishop of Monmouth will commence in September, 2019.
Members of the Electoral College will meet from Tuesday, September 17 to elect a new bishop.
In an email sent out by the Diocese of Monmouth, the Archbishop of Wales, John Davies, said: "The Electoral College for electing a successor to Bishop Richard will begin to meet in the cathedral from Tuesday, September 17.
The Argus reporter adds: "In January parishioners spoke to us about what they said were their serious concerns about what was going on within the Diocese of Monmouth after Bishop Pain had been absent from work since July 2018.
"In March some parishioners warned that they were planning to withhold parish shares until their concerns were answered and added their belief that those who raised the grievances had 'refused' meditation."
Other sources suggested that such stories were part of a campaign by the bishop's supporters against those who had raised legitimate grievances under normal Church in Wales procedures.
The length of the bishop's absence resulted in factions developing to the detriment of the diocese.
The Archbishop of Wales was aware of the issues and was actively engaged in a formal process of mediation to resolve them. He said, “For reasons of confidentiality, and out of respect for those concerned in the ongoing mediation process, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
This served only to add to speculation and encourage the spread of rumours and innuendo implied in press coverage.
The diocese needs to move on from this unhappy event without recriminations.
God forbid that another decision passes to the bench of bishops.
Its an open secret that this will be Jill Duff.
ReplyDeletePostie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQapoChLw2U
DeleteSorry I don't get it. We were told that Joanna who was shoehorned into St Davids was the best person to be a bishop. She is busy stuffing St Davids Cathedral with women. Presumably June was next best, God help us, so Jill comes in as third but why would someone of her alleged calibre want to join a bench of losers on the road to extinction?
The Church in Wales needs a re-think not "more of the same - but faster" which is all the archbishop has been able to come up with.
You ask 'why would she?' but maybe she realises that she is FAR better than the five we have, and therefore a good candidate for Archbish in a few years!!!!
DeleteYes it's obvious with Jonathan Aitken speaking at St Asaph cathedral. He was in a tutorial group at Wycliffe with Jill Duff. He describes her as one of the 3 cleverest students in the entire Oxford Faculty of Theology- "a doctor of chemistry who had given up a promising career with Esso" (p192, Porridge and Passion). She obtained a first class degree and is now a hugely popular Bishop, both amongst clergy and laity.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it was a popularity contest! Jack
Delete"one of the 3 cleverest students"
ReplyDeleteDoes that actually mean the 3rd cleverest?
Out of how many?
DeleteThree?
Four?
A simple google search shows there are on average 100 students in this faculty. This means that Jill Duff is in the top 3% of theology students at one of the top universities in the world. She is not the cream of theology, she is the cream of the cream.
DeleteBecause Jonathan Aitken says so?
DeleteSome objective evidence for such a claim might be more believable instead of 'I say so'.
Given the dismal performances of po-faced Jo and Caiaphas the last thing wales needs is another of the sisterhood to add to the coven.
PP. But if she does become the Bishop of Monmouth, will she handle the troubled pool and be better than 2 we have. She certainly has a good CV and reputation.
ReplyDeleteYou have hit the nail on the head, AB: Joanna is stuffing St Davids with members of the sisterhood: she feels no shame, exhibits no pretence, just imports as many females as possible, with simply token male appointments. Far from wishing for equal opportunities with men, the impression she gives is of striving to minimise the male workforce and maximising her girly friends, who are all playing at being priests. It s a strange act from a married woman and a mother!
ReplyDeleteRob
Meanwhile, she is licensing more unnecessary 'worship leaders' when there are enough retired traditionalist priests to serve the diocese, and who would happily do more to keep the Faith.
ReplyDeleteRob
But hasn't Jill Duff only just been consecrated by ++ John Sentamu and has yet to complete a single year as Suffragan in the Blackburn diocese? I don't think + Julian would be best pleased to lose Lancaster so soon. No, let it be Peggy and thus create a 50/50 male/female episcopate in the Principality.
ReplyDeleteFather David, what has Monmouth Diocese ever done to you that you would wish Peggy Jackson on them? She is a failure as a priest, let alone give her a mitre. That said, she would be at home with other five failures who have been given mitres!
DeleteSeymour
Ah yes, the Archdeacon who says that Jesus being the only Way to the Father is "a philosophical question" and who declares that she has "no opinion" on the mutilation of little girls' genitalia in our country (or any other I suspect). A wonderful choice to lead the Church in its pilgrimage down the pan. As Priest Mon says below, will the Church ever hear or heed the Holy Spirit's prompting again or is He just not PC / Relevant anymore?
DeleteThe useless lump of lard would squeal loudly enough if it was her genitalia receiving the attention of a blunt rusty old razor blade.
DeleteAre we not forgetting one major factor? The decernment of the Holy Spirit. Praying for God's choice would be better and healing of the diocese. +Richard's last sermon at his farewell Eucharist in Abergavenny, will be worth hearing. Priest Mon.
ReplyDeleteIts important that the electoral college asserts its will on the bench. By that I mean that they are not bullied by the Bishops present to go one way or another. Ideally, the candidate would be anyone other than someone supported by them. Also, if we are really for true equality, it would be the best person, male or female.
ReplyDeleteChoose +Burnley, if he is willing. I know for a fact that he is universally liked by women clergy in the Diocese of Blackburn despite his traditionalist views. Godly, talented, inspiring man who could unite all wings of the church and bring true spiritual healing to a fractured diocese.
I understand the Church in Wales is seen as toxic in England Whamab. That must narrow the field.
DeleteBe assured, Whamab, anyone who is godly, talented and inspiring will be ruled out of an Electoral College in Wales. The benchsitters will only consider heretics, liars and connivers to join their elite make-up. These are the qualifications for the episcopate in Wales.
DeleteSeymour
Seymour, one of my points was that it is not up to the Bench - they have no veto and the will of the Electoral College. Electors need to be strong and be confident in their preferences and not cave in to the Bishops. I urge them to bring a measure of theological balance and not choose a candidate on such a banal criterion such as their sex.
DeleteI only commented in jest re Peggy, I didn't really mean it! If it is to be a Blackburn suffragan then Burnley rather than Lancaster would be the better choice. I was at Walsingham on Monday and Philip North presided most beautifully. He would certainly be a breath of fresh air at Monmouth and would definitely assist in reversing the decline. Only trouble being we don't want to lose him from England. It would be a tragedy if such a talented bishop wasn't given his own diocese.
ReplyDeleteAny news about the Monmouth clergy and Archbishop meeting in St Wollos last night? Were the questions answered and what is happening with the archdeacons and dean? Do we know who is on the electoral college?
ReplyDeleteBystander
Dear Bystander,
DeleteA more pertinent question might be 'Is there anyone left who might even give a rat's arse?'