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| Bishops of Llandaff and St Davids with mentor, former TEC presiding bishop Source: Twitter |
Is it any wonder that the Church in Wales is dysfunctional?
"Llandaff Diocese ✝️🏴@LlandaffDio Feb 7, 2018
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Communion’s first woman primate, visited the diocesan office while in the UK as part of the Bishop’s Training programme.She is acting as mentor to @BishopJuno and Bishop Joanna"I wrote at the time: "Since we were led to expect so much from women bishops it is a bit of a mystery why they need mentoring". With hindsight they did but why choose Barry Morgan's heretical mentor? To hasten disaster?
The Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori is credited by US observers as having brought The Episcopal Church to its knees, not in prayer but in its demise, sinking into oblivion as is the Church in Wales.
As the problem with the bishop of St Davids lingers on, Andy John, the senior bishop in the Church in Wales pending the election of the next Archbishop of Wales, apologises for her behaviour while the leader of the Anglican Communion Justin Welby is 'embarrassed' by bishop Penberthy’s twitter comments.
No matter. As she seeks to 'recuperate' from her relentless party political tweeting, bishop Penberthy is on sick leave for a month while rumours circulate of her being translated to Swansea and Brecon. Even if true would they want her?
As absurd as the rumours appear, simply moving the problem is not uncommon as previously witnessed by the habit of moving predatory clergy before the whole issue exploded with dire consequences for the Church.
In Llandaff rumours abound following the prolonged absence of the Dean:
- Bishop June, on the advice of the Greater Chapter, took action against Dean Gerwyn and lost. The Dean was exonerated.
- The Dean is now taking action against Bishop June.
- Dean Gerwyn recruited Archbishop Barry Morgan in his defence which has not gone down well with bishop June. She regards the former archbishop as being disloyal and are now in open warfare. Morgan now regrets June Osborne landing in Llandaff.
- Head Verger Hoad was suspended on a minor (but unknown) charge, which is still being investigated.
- The Cathedral has advertised for a Chief Executive Officer to work with the Greater Chapter. This is the de facto role of the Dean. This is being done whilst the Dean is still in post, but on extended leave.
- The numbers attending the cathedral and the giving have collapsed.
What are the facts? Silence serves only to generate more rumours and speculation.
In the diocese of Monmouth the results of the Enquiry and Review announced in May 2020 into the departure of bishop Richard Pain is long overdue. It was hoped the Enquiry and Review would be completed within six months.
Meanwhile in Monmouth the Historic Episcopate has been further 'locally adapted' in the 'methods of its administration in the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church' to accommodate bishop Cherry and Wendy seen here at Holy Synod in the sanctuary of Brecon Cathedral:
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| Holy Synod Brecon Cathedral January 2020 Original Source: Church in Wales |
When I joined the CiW the dean of the cathedral greeted my arrival with the words "Welcome to a dying church". He then quickly added "But don't worry, it will last long enough to pay your pension." Looking at the blasted heath with its "When will we meet again" sisterhood, I wonder whether the good dean was not being over optimistic.
ReplyDeleteTeilo
God Bless Barry Morgan and God Bless 'Crecian 2000'. May all His Camels be full of water.
ReplyDeleteEnforcer.
Llandaff Cathedral and the Diocese has been in steady decline since Glyn Simon's days, but the decline became terminal from the moment bully boy --Bazza took up residence in Llys Esgob.
ReplyDeleteThat his golf caddy Gerwhine should still be supported by him is hardly a surprise to anyone since --Bazza still needs him in the Deanery to keep the lid on the can of worms.
It's about time some of the recently retired Canons got on the phone to Martin Shipton for a chinwag.
And speaking of predatory clergy Ancient Briton, what news of the Canon who pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children at Swansea Magistrates Court earlier this year? Wasn't he supposed to be sentenced on 29th March in Swansea Crown Court?
He was sentenced to an 18 month community order after he had pleaded guilty to two offences of making indecent images of children between 2016 and 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56807272
Delete"There is no place for any form of abuse in the Church in Wales."
DeleteDid nobody think to let Penberthy know?
Only 18 months on a Community order?
DeleteThat's derisory, he should be spending time at Her Majesty's pleasure.
I suppose we must be grateful for small mercies, at least it's one more predatory paedophile priest out of the Church for good.
AB, I am absolutely mortified that you could take such a cheap swipe at three highly esteemed individuals! Were you aware that they have formed a world famous rock band called “Bazzer’s Babes”? This is not a dysfunctional band by any stretch of the imagination and I would strongly urge you to listen to their latest album: “Hecate”. Here are just a few tracks to whet your appetite:
ReplyDelete1. Wake me up before you go Jo (Archdeacons’ Prayer Remix)
2. I’m Still Standing (Extended Garden Leave Mix)
3. Blasphemous Rumours (Insidious Drill Rap)
4. Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word (Woke Cancel-Rap or C-Rap)
5. Fire Starter (Twitter Mix)
6. The Final Countdown (Church Extinction Remix)
7. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Extended 12” Llandaff Cathedral Mix)
8. Losing My Religion (Parishioner Mix)
I do hope in future that you will demonstrate a greater cognisance of such unparalleled talent!
CEH ;-))
Outstanding CEH. Bravo.
DeleteA more appropriate name for their girl band would be "A Blasphemous Trinity"!
DeleteThe Diabolical Dementors.
DeleteThe Hell's Angels.
DeleteThe Ugly Sisters.
DeleteThe Dread Naughts.
DeleteThe Sirens of Sin.
DeleteMy Grandson suggests Twisted Sisters.
DeleteEnglebertha Humpadyke.
DeleteBugger. You beat me to it.
DeleteI was going to suggest Dick von Dyke.
Nana Mistake.
DeleteQueens
DeleteCliff Dykeford and The Shadows?
DeleteT-Dregs
DeleteYou have missed a song out. The Moody Blues "GO NOW"
DeleteThe MissFits.
DeletePP. Dis-function seems to be more a problem of a dis-ease with leadership. The blight of the "Bazza" bullying would never be allowed in any other walk of life and subject to strong action But, given the caustic nature of the bishop the Dean and the interloper, the Llandaff situation can only get worse. I seriously pity any appointed CEO.
ReplyDeleteAs for Monmouth, the former bishop enquiries, still to be published, have no judgement on the current Bishop. Much has changed in our diocese, since her appointment, much of which has been a breath of fresh air and warmly accepted. The energy for mission is strong and the Bishop actually listens to pew sitters. It's a shame her two other episcopal sisters don't !
As for St David's, to translate J to Swansea & Brecon, would only move a huge problem into a diocese that certainly does not deserve. Time will tell!
But, if there is to be a translation, surely the candidates would be + John & + Gregory. But, another incomer from another province, seems a bigger possible end.
The future of J remains contentious. Time will tell.
With two former Archbishop's in the province, one doing his usual dark arts, causing storms. The other much more theologically astute and seeking a quiet life, in Monmouth. Then there are a reasonable number of retired bishops across the province. Andy has quite a choice of spiritual advisors to call on. Hopefully he no longer trust the puppet master and looks to other peers for counsel. Will he be ++ that's still to be debated, but who else?
If +Andy translates himself as ++ to Llandaff / Cardiff Bay then +St Davids can head north to +Bangor, and +Llandaff go to be +S&B
ReplyDeletePP. Interesting musical thrones game! But, Llandaff has about 3 years left in post, not really worth it? Perhaps a stint at the ++ for Juno? But, is it fair to put Jo in another See or, even counterproductive.
ReplyDeleteBut, there is the option mooted in the 80s for ++. S&B becomes the fixed ++ See,the Brecon Archdeaconry with a reinstated suffragan at Swansea.
Incidentally Andy will be very busy shortly as two Diocese Petertide ordinations are looming.
A thought on episcopal future leanings. Horror of horrors, the bench with GB approval removes the retirement ceiling for themselves (currently 70) and possibly priests who just want to go on serving with health safeguarding in place like Rome! What a chilling prospect!
Why this talk of translating m/s Penberthy? Remember her first act as bishop? - the hurtful instruction not to use retired priests except when the regulars were ill or on holiday. More of the same followed. Such insensitivity rules out her suitability for any clerical post whatsoever, let alone a bishopric. She should put herself and us out of our misery by resigning soon. It is taking too long.
ReplyDeleteRob
What a weekend to remember that would be if DodoJo, Matt Hancock and Gina Coladangelo all went together.
DeleteAt least Hancock has done the decent thing and gone.
DeleteIt comes to something when an amoral Tory politician turns out to have more moral fibre than the Bishopesse of St Davids.
DeleteNever never never trust a socialist Bishopesse.
Gina has gone too.
DeleteTwo down, one to go.
Talk is that Penberthy was interested in translating but after tweetgate I cannot imagine her getting the requisite 2/3rds majority especially since she is known to the S&B electors. Say no more.
ReplyDeleteGLOWORM
One down, one to...
ReplyDeleteRob
The Bishop of St Davids, +Mrs Legg, is on sick leave, perhaps it would help her if this was changed Gardening Leave. Are we as a Church in Wales realising that a great Mistake happened in the last 10 or so years with individuals being promoted to "Purple", Mrs Legg, June, or July, or possibly "Ciaphas?", and most certainly CHERRY, a "female" in a "Partnership"? What a crew to form a "Bench". Perhaps all 3 will look at their positions and decide to do the Honourable thing, resign, I hold my breath, but won't
ReplyDeleteQuill Pen, a bench has substance to it and is useful. Here in Wales we have a plank, as someone said to me recently.
DeleteSeymour
An interesting article from Tim Farron: https://www.politics.co.uk/comment/2021/06/28/the-church-should-not-be-partisan-but-it-must-be-political/
ReplyDeleteI think the problem with CiW ( and indeed your own Baptist denomination) is that nearly all of the political analysis is left wing, or bordering Marxist. You seldom hear a Bishop criticise the Labour party when they are in power yet the gloves come off as soon as the Tory's are democratically elected. If you look a the Momentun Baptist Union website, you see a left wing analysis of lots of causes.
DeleteThis all has the effect of unchrurching the many of us that also care deeply, but have a different political interpretation.
The Church is called to be salt and light, distinctive, not just to mimic the world by jumping on the latest political bandwagon.
Most of us who vote Tory just keep quiet and grin and bear it. Personally I am fed up of doing that now, but to speak up would cause disunity.
Can I give one example that was mentioned in the article... food banks. I know from having worked with the scheme ...that many are grateful and genuinely helped. Others sell the food vouchers or parcels (you get more for vouchers) to buy drugs or alcohol. But we can't have a sensible debate about it as people go mad.
I would - as you'd expect! - beg to differ from you; and I'd need to see "hard evidence" for your claim about Foodbank vouchers. Having said that:
Delete1. Nonconformity has had long links with leftward-looking politics, possibly because it tended, at least in cities, to be the "working-peoples' religion" in a way that Anglicanism, with its connections to Establishment (in the broader sense of the word) often failed to do. There were of course exceptions: for instance the High Church movement in London's East End was very successful. And, of course, many Labour politicians and the Trade Union movement had a firm basis in Nonconformity which is why the local groups of the National Union of Journalists were called "chapels". Obviously these folk saw something in Christianity which led them to their political beliefs - which is not, of course, to say that Conservatives cannot be true Christians!
2. I do think two "sea-changes" took place, at least in the Church of England, in the 1960s and 80s although some eminent Anglicans such as ++Temple had held "social" views much earlier. The first was the rise of so-called "South Bank Christianity" in the Diocese of Southwark which was liberal in theology, socially-minded in practice and may (I'm not sure about this because of the timescale) also have been influenced by South American liberation theology. The second took place during the Thatcherite reforms which saw the demise of so much traditional employment, especially in the north of England, and which led to the publication of the seminal "Faith in the City" report. So I do think there has been a shift leftwards in English Anglicanism which stems from conviction rather than simply following the "zeitgeist" or "jumping on the bandwagon". Whether this is true in the CinW I do not know.
Thank you for the eirenic tone of your comment, much appreciated!
#Baptist Trainfan: I wonder whether one could make a case for the 1960s/80s Anglican leftward lurch being a predominantly clerical movement. Of course it also involved a segment of the thinking laity as well, but pewsitters in general tend to be more conservative (small c) whichever party gets their vote, and less inclined to lurch either way.
DeleteNice to see Bishop Wyn presiding at the St Davids ordination: dismayed to see so many female pretenders.
ReplyDeleteRob
Why not Bishop Carl or Andy?
DeleteJohnny Cash
Johnny Cash. +Andy had ordinations of his own. And do you really need an answer as to why it wasn’t Carl???
DeleteLlechryd
Llechryd -'Irregular orientation' perhaps?
DeleteA boy called Sue
PP. The former AB presiding at S&B. Must be back in favour.
ReplyDeleteNot much of a joyful story in Llandaff - our senior priest has been off on sick leave for 15 months. What kind of misguided leadership allows that to happen in any organisation? In my own profession, heaven and earth would have been moved to resolve matters. And if those 'rumours' have even an ounce of truth to them, then there are many who should hang their heads in shame.
ReplyDeleteSaddened
Perhaps you forget that Gerwhine is one of the "misguided leadership" to whom you have referred.
DeleteFor those who were on the receiving end of his poison pen letters, vitriolic sermons from the pulpit and petulant spiteful bans from volunteering in the Cathedral, his absence has been a blessed relief and long may it continue.
That's not to say the rest of the leadership aren't also a nest of vipers, mind you.
Grumbles on the Green say that Capon complained bitterly when, after 6 months off, his salary was reduced by half as it would be in any other job.
DeleteAfter 12 months off in most companies or the public sector, he would be expected to resign. If he had a shred of decency he'd be gone by now and he's lucky he's been able to prevaricate. We'll see if his luck holds out.
Although the letter writers make a great deal of noise, there's a goodly number of parishioners who are very pleased by Gerwhine's continued absence and have noted improvements in the Cathedral during his time away. The place looks so much better now a lot of dead wood has been cleared out.
Capon made it abundantly clear that his role as Dean was his least priority, far behind antiques, auctions and dining out with his pals.
In his entire "ministry" in Llandaff, never once has he been to visit or bring Holy Communion.
DeleteHe's no loss to the Christians in Llandaff whatsoever.
Gerwyn who?
Where some fools lead the Church in Wales will surely follow.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57658161
Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' vote.
Take note pew sitters when you're asked, yet again, to increase your giving.
ReplyDeleteThere's no shortage of money at Llandaff Cathedral as new Chapter Clerk appointed on £55k.
https://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk/category/news/
Did Bacon write his own job description?
Announcing his resignation from the lectern at the Easter Vestry Meeting in April suggests he already knew he was going to get the job!
DeleteJobs for the boys who are Juno's mates.
DeleteGerwhine will be frothing at the mouth.
DeleteOn the basis that the Capon has been absent for some 17 months and things are ticking along nicely without him, Bacon's first item of business in his In Tray should be making the post of Dean redundant.
DeleteHow much longer is the absurd unexplained absence going to be allowed to continue?
DeleteAt least the Archdeaconess of Llandaff is being put out to grass.
DeleteI remember the 11am Eucharist at which Bonaparte announced her arrival from the Lectern and listed her accomplishments.
It was a very short list.
One feels the list of accomplishments has not grown.
DeleteThe longest list in her life is that of all the Archdeaconries she was refused in the Church of England which would have continued growing if His --Darkness hadn't inflicted her upon Llandaff.
DeleteThere might be a longer list - that of all the people she's lied to, misled and generally p*ssed off.
DeleteSo the new Chapter Clerk at Llandaff Cathedral is paid more than the Archbishop of Wales?
DeleteAnd by a Cathedral that's financially on it's uppers.
In what Universe do these people think they live?
One would think the first post needing filling would be that of the professional fundraiser.
DeleteI recall the original gang of four (Guy Clark, Gerard Elias, David Jones and Gill Lloyd) proposing the very same at least a decade ago.
Bonaparte delayed matters by insisting on adding Linda Quinn and Peggy the Pilate to their number which in turn led to the £5,000 Eleri Jones questionnaire and report.
The Pilate then refused to make the report available but following a leak of it to Ancient Briton's esteemed blog, she kicked it in to touch with the claim it was out of date and that the Cathedral had moved on.
Yet another item to add to the long list of her non-achievements.
Well remembered.
DeleteYou wouldn't mind so much if the £5k it cost had come from --Bazza's wallet or the Pilate's purse but the champagne socialists watch their own cash like hawks whilst being profligate with other people's hard earned cash.
Gerwhine's continuing unexplained absence and the appointment of the new Chapter Clerk appears in the Western Mail.
DeleteSomething else I don't understand. Why, in the diocese of Llandaff, are retiring priests not being given a PTO until six months after retirement ? A soon to be retiring friend of mine is most concerned about this. His daily mass will be offered in his home!
ReplyDelete