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| Simon Cowling, Dean of Wakefield Source: Yorkshire Post |
Some readers may have received this statement from Forward in Faith:
Forward in Faith notes the Dean of Wakefield’s decision to comply with the ruling of the Independent Reviewer, Sir William Fittall, in his report on Wakefield Cathedral by making available to the complainant a service rota with information about the identity of those who will be celebrating the Eucharist in the Cathedral.
"This is a welcome first step towards making Wakefield Cathedral once again a truly inclusive church in which traditional catholics are made welcome and encouraged to flourish. We hope for even greater generosity in future."
From the dean's response:
"I have now notified Sir William that I intend to keep the existing policy in place, but with a significant adjustment which I believe to be in line with the spirit of his conclusions. I will be offering a pastoral, face to face, meeting with anyone who is a regular member of the worshipping community at Wakefield Cathedral who is unable for reasons of conscience to accept the priestly ministry of women. This will afford the space for a shared conversation and the opportunity for me to offer to send a paper copy of the quarterly rota when it is published. This will be on the understanding that it is for their personal use and that it may change at short notice. I am pleased to say that I have already had such a conversation with the individual whose letter of concern prompted the Review and the person concerned is reflecting on this offer."
A member of the congregation of Wakefield cathedral wrote to the Independent Reviewer under the House of Bishops declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests expressing concern at a change of practice concerning the publication of names of those due to preside at celebrations of Holy Communion in the Cathedral.
The Independent Reviewer concluded that whether or not the dean and chapter routinely publishes the names of celebrants was "a matter of judgement for them" but the information should be supplied in good grace to anyone who asks for it in advance so that "they can make an informed choice over whether to attend a particular service in the light of their theological conviction in relation to gender and ordained ministry."
"Reciprocity and mutuality mean that the majority and minority need to avoid putting stumbling blocks in the way of each other or giving offence: members of chapter need to act with generosity, forbearance and pastoral sensitivity to any cathedral worshippers - especially regular members of the cathedral community - who are unable on grounds of theological conviction to receive the sacramental ministry of women priests; similarly the latter need to show respect to all chapter clergy and seek to maintain the highest possible degree of communion."
The highest possible degree of communion can best be achieved by not setting artificial barriers which frustrate those who on theological grounds are unable to accept the sacramental ministry of women priests.
The bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines said of Dean Cowling: “Simon has wide parochial and cathedral experience, and, working with good colleagues, he will bring significant gifts, knowledge and wisdom to the task of leading Wakefield Cathedral.” Intimidation might have been more apt.
The Dean of Wakefield's response to Sir Williams Fittall's conclusions is to 'afford space' for a 'shared conversation' and the opportunity to offer to send a paper copy of the quarterly rota when it is published on the understanding that it is for personal use and that it may change at short notice. [My emphasis - Ed.]
There is no need for confrontation, just some respect for the views of orthodox Anglicans who find themselves in a minority in the church of England for keeping the faith shared by millions of others in the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Barry Morgan performed a similar stunt in Llandaff Cathedral in 2012 when, as acting Dean, he abandoned the concept of twin integrities. Worshippers were expected to await the entrance of the celebrant to discover if they had been conned into appearing to support the ordination of women.
There is nothing to be gained from such mean spirited actions and everything to lose.
The Dean of Wakefield said, "I take my responsibility for playing my part in that search very seriously and it is my sincere hope that the way forward I have outlined will be received in the same spirit with which it is offered." I hope not.
"shared conversation"? I suppose if he has to add 'shared' he is used to having a one-sided 'lecture' type conversation.
ReplyDeleteThe spirit in which this man has taken 3 months to come up with this grotesque scheme will hopefully be returned sevenfold into his bosom.
Being summoned to the Headmaster's office like a recalcitrant 6th former for a "shared conversation" - he shares his point of view, you listen but cannot get a word in edgeways, you are told to go away & think about your behaviour & come back next term with a more 'inclusive' attitude or shove off - doesn't sound like a recipe for "mutual flourishing". It sounds a lot more like putting traditionalists on the Naughty Step.
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ReplyDeleteThey should all take him up on it and fill his diary with meeting after meeting after meeting. He will soon tire of it and do what he should have done in the first place, respect people to make their own mind up and publish the name of the celebrant.
ReplyDeleteThis is another act of illiberal liberalism plain and simple - otherwise called bullying. Preposterous hubris! Really, the arrogance is beyond words.
If the preacher's name is published why not the name of the celebrant?
ReplyDeleteSurely a small thing to request.
It shouldn't even need to be requested.
DeleteIn Llandaff and every other Cathedral visited, it used to be routine to publish the names of the celebrant and preacher (if different people) along with the music list and names of the composers.
The celebrant's name only stopped being published when traditionalist congregants made it clear they would refuse to attend Eucharists when officiated by priestesses.
The removal of celebrant names was the spiteful deliberate response from the illiberal bullies such as Darth --Insidious as a means of preventing dissenters exercising free choice.
And if you didn't like it then "tough!"
Precisely.
ReplyDeleteThe following English cathedrals publish the names of celebrants: Salisbury (significantly - and a policy unchanged since June Osborne's tenure as Dean), Winchester, Chichester, Exeter, Ripon, Bradford (these last two in the same Diocese as Wakefield), Durham, Ely, Chelmsford, Guildford, Lichfield. With the exception of Chichester, none of them can be said to be serving dioceses that (at one time) would have been described as 'traditionalist.' It is interesting to see where 'mutual flourishing' is a reality rather than an empty slogan.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the Dean of Wakefield's 'Come and convince me that you warrant receiving a copy of the rota' is not in the spirit of Sir William Fittall's conclusions, and represents a further erosion of trust by erecting unnecessary obstacles to transparency. If other, more distinguished, cathedrals can do this as a straightforward matter of policy, why not Wakefield? Or indeed Llandaff?
But always - always - we need to be aware of the mistakes of history, lest our desire for sacramental assurance slips into unthinking Donatism. We need to remember that the Catholic faith has, since the matter was resolved in the 6th Century, always taught that the validity of the sacrament is not contingent upon the supposed 'purity' of the priest (or Bishop) who presides at its celebration. That is as relevant to those who withhold the names of celebrants as it is to those who desire to know in advance.
I'll bet the Cathedrals you list also still publish their Communicant numbers Athanasius.
DeleteLlandaff Cathedral stopped that as soon as --Bazza's golf caddie realised interested parties were monitoring the published numbers, noting a marked decline immediately following his arrival in the Deanery and were publishing the details on this blog.
Inconvenient facts are not welcome in Llandaff or those who publish them.
As the Church shrinks - and becomes less connected to its wider context, less confident and less generous - it also becomes more defensive, more polarised and, certainly, more paranoid. The Dean of Wakefield's stance is just one indication of this. So is Peggy's divisive shenanigans (and Andy Crap's support for her). It says, in effect, 'this is all about me' - which tells you just how small and insignificant the Church has shrunk.
ReplyDeletePJ's act of attempted theological genocide will go down in infamy in the annals of the CiW. Thankfully GB wrested her hand off the nuclear button and gave her a resounding, 'No'!
DeleteIn that respect, The Dean of Wakefield is playing in the kindergarten compared to PJ. Although I hope Sir William informs him that his 'solution' is absolutely not in the spirit of his conclusions and to think again, if he ever did at all.
Talking of Defensive, polarised and paranoid, is there any truth in the rumour I am hearing about Jolly June's plans to restrict the Licence of retired clergy to one benefice? If so, more creeping congregationalism from She Who Must Be Obeyed.
DeleteI wonder if she will be changing the words of the ordination prayer? "Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant Kylie for the office and work of a priest in the parish of Ramsey Street.'
Yes, the church is shrinking alright.
If the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist meant anything to these clergy then they would realise WHY their flocks NEED to know who is "presiding." Sadly it is mere symbolism to these numpties.
ReplyDeleteFrom the past reaction to this blog it’s been clear that it is closely followed on the Green, and sadly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, it seems that the powers that be at Llandaff may be tempted to follow Wakefield, but with a twist? While apparently identifying the Sunday celebrants, the Weekly Notes are appearing later and later and sometimes not before Sunday, and last Sunday the celebrant at the 12.30 Eucharist was said to be male but turned out the be the latest female import.
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