 |
| Bangor wedding Source: Facebook |
My first blog entry featuring the Church in Wales in 2021 posed the question, The next Archbishop of Wales?
The entry led with a Facebook photograph showing a divorced father of four with his new bride, one of his female priests. The groom was, of course, the bishop of Bangor, the Rt Rev Andrew John, who would be the most senior bishop in the Church in Wales following the retirement of archbishop John Davies.
If, for some, 1 Timothy 3 came to mind, no matter. The Church in Wales had already decided to put the Bible to one side and do things their way, something that was to become a habit.
In 2004 'fury' and 'anger' surrounded the appointment of Britain's first divorced bishop in North Wales when the Archdeacon of Carmarthen was declared the unanimous choice of the church's Bench of Bishops after the electoral college failed to agree on the most suitable candidate. This procedure has since become a habit resulting in of a self-perpetuating clique.
The Daily Post, North Wales Live reported at the time that a member of the original secret electoral college said the appointment was a shock and unexpected: "There may be controversy over this," he said. "My own view is that the scripture does say that a bishop has to be married to one wife."
Responding to criticism from within the diocese of Bangor, the then archbishop, Barry Morgan, said that the appointment was "in accord with the Church's view on divorce."
Moving on to June 2021, the only woman bishop not to be appointed by the bench is proud Corbynista Joanna Penberthy, bishop of St Davids.
She caused uproar following a 'private tweet' about Conservative Party supporters in which she said Never never never trust a Tory. Many commentators thought that was the end of the road for Barry Morgan's chosen one but showing no shame she simply carries on after a few months off work.
Mentored along with the bishop of Llandaff by TEC's former presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, it appears that no embarrassment for the Church is too great to shift her as she remains doggedly stuck to her throne.
On the plus side the Church in Wales bade farewell to another of Barry Morgan's Church of England rejects, Peggy (the pilot) Jackson, Archdeacon of Llandaff. If she had had her way this spiteful woman would have barred from ordination anyone who objected, on grounds of conscience, to women clergy thus making a mockery of the promises made to allow the ordination of women.
Jackson was supported in her endeavour by the now disgraced bishop of St Davids, Joanna Penberthy, and the bishop of Bangor, Andy John. The two other bishops present, John Davies (Swansea & Brecon) and June Osborne (Landaff), signalled their lack of opposition to the measure by abstaining.
 |
| The Archbishop, the Deanery, the Archdeacon of Llandaff and a can of worms. |
I've also read that letter in the Church Times, headlined:Llandaff crisis requires Bishop’s suspension
ReplyDeleteSir, — You recently reported that the Dean of Llandaff, the Very Revd Gerwyn Capon, has brought a case of “bullying and harassment” against the Bishop, the Rt Revd June Osborne (News, 26 November). Under the complaints procedure of the Church in Wales, a Disciplinary Committee found that she had “a case to answer”. More recently, 23 members of the cathedral congregation have written to say, “That experience has been shared by us” (Letters, 17/24 December).
I believe that I speak for many clergy when I say that there is a culture of fear in Llandaff diocese. Curates, vicars, ministry-area leaders, and lay diocesan staff tell me that they fear their Bishop. Although many say privately that they have been ignored, reprimanded, moved sideways, paid off, invited to take early retirement, or that their resignation is referred to as a retirement, I imagine they would be too fearful of repercussions from the Bishop to put their signature to this letter.
Knowing that I would be suspended if it were alleged that I had bullied a colleague, may I suggest that the President of the Disciplinary Tribunal suspend the Bishop of Llandaff (since he alone has the power to do so, as the investigatory committee that found a case to answer by her was set up by him) while the seriousness of the allegations made by Dean Capon is considered.
I hope that, at the same time, an open and transparent review both of the policies and processes of the Church in Wales and the Llandaff Cathedral Chapter will be conducted by an independent agency.
VICKI BURROWS
Vicar of Radyr, St Fagans and Michaelston-super-Ely; and Garth Ministry Area Leader, diocese of Llandaff
Very brave, as Sir Humphrey used to say. It's a pity this couldn't have happened years ago. Bit late now that Juno is near retirement anyway.
Cymraes yn Lloegr
If, as Vicki Burrows claims, the President of the Disciplinary Tribunal alone has the power to suspend the Bishop of Llandaff pending consideration of the alleged bullying, her letter would carry considerably more weight if she had cited the precise reference to the Church in Wales Constitution or Canon law that bestows such power.
DeleteI understood from the recently published Monmouth/Pain report that not even the Archbishop of Wales wields such power.
Could someone please provide clarification?
Regardless of the Bishop's actions, history will record that during the most testing period for the Church in the early 21st century, the Dean preferred to cry off sick and carry out his little vendetta instead of turning up to work and keeping Llandaff Cathedral open.
DeleteThat said, many people are enjoying a Gerwhine-free Christmas.
How ironic that he is now trying to be the "subversive" one in this sordid affair. Considering that he anathematized others for that reason, it seems that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the Capon.
Happy New Year to AB and all blog contributors!
One struggles to see why Vicki Burrows would be willing to put her head above the parapet in such a public way.
DeleteMight it be because she is also facing some sort of disciplinary action from Caiaphas and has decided to get her retaliation in first?
I take no issue with her drawing a moral equivalency between the failure to suspend Caiaphas in the same circumstances that she claims she would be suspended, presumably as a matter of due process.
DeleteHowever, why hasn't Vicki Burrows drawn the same equivalency between the current circumstances and the failure of Church in Wales authorities (including Caiaphas) to suspend the Capon when he himself was accused of bullying and harassing his Parishioners with his poison pen letters and "subversives" sermons from the Llandaff Cathedral pulpit?
Short memory syndrome perhaps?
How interesting to see the Clergy breaking ranks and revolting as well as the 23 signatories.
DeleteMore and more of the vipers are turning on each other.
Bully boy --Bazza must be rubbing his hands in glee in his technology cupboard up at Llys Ego.
That's a long list of people Vicki Burrows says fear the Bishop of Llandaff.
DeleteBut if none of them have made formal complaints to the Diocese and/or the RB, how do any of them think anything could possibly be done about it?
Assuming there is any genuine substance to the complaints then they need to be made formally to the Church in Wales.
Failing that, to an Employment tribunal or as a final resort to Martin Shipton and the court of public opinion.
On the other hand, if it's the case that Juno has been getting to grips with a failing Diocese and incompetent/negligent/inept/ineffective staff and clergy, and she has followed the relevant Church in Wales policies, procedures and processes (but as in the Capon's case seems to be getting nowhere quickly), then why doesn't she tell Randy Pandy that she's going to voluntarily step back (like Richard Pain) and let the RB spend two years carrying out a completely pointless investigation while continuing to draw her full salary, sitting back and eating popcorn until her retirement automatically occurs on 30th April 2023?
In the prevailing circumstances Juno would be a mug to do anything else.
What is it with all these people that they continue to ignore the elephant in the room?
DeleteIsn't Vicki in the least bit concerned about the £22,173 of Cathedral funds that Capon blew on his new Aga and wood burning stove without the knowledge or approval of the other Cathedral trustees?
Or the money he spent on travel, entertaining, furniture, antiques and Mr Toad?
Or the other still unexplained £34k?
Would Radyr PCC let her dip her hands into their Parish funds like that and just let her get away with it?
I suspect Darth --Insidious has just dealt his golf caddie another card in the Diocesan poker game as well as providing him with another 100 chips.
DeleteAnd what is Randy Pandy doing to support Caiaphas?
Nothing because he owes Bazza for his promotion to the Episcopal purple.
@Teilo
DeleteWhat point is there in filing formal complaints against or with any part of the Church in Wales?
What good did it do Clifford Williams, the Llandaff Cathedral Lay Clerks, James Norrey, Sachin Gunga, Janet Henderson, Richard Moorhouse, Ceirion Gilbert, David Jones or David Lambert, "Alex" of Monmouth or for that matter, Gerwhine Capon?
The Church in Wales is a cesspit of corruption and doesn't give a damn.
The saddest aspect of the whole debacle is seeing the Diocese tear itself apart over such a pathetic bunch of third and fourth rate wasters like Peggy the Pilate, Jenny Wigley, Gerwhine Capon and June Osborne.
DeleteRejects all.
The Diocese and Province are essentially paying the price for Barry Morgan's reign of terror and corruption.
DeleteThis shambles has been a long time in the making and has also been long predicted.
Sodom and Gommorrah come to mind.
The question is, what will Caiaphas do about Vicki's letter to the Church Times?
DeleteAnd of course, the answer is nothing.
She's utterly impotent because Vicki might also then accuse Caiaphas of bullying. And if so, what will the RB do?
Once again, the answer is nothing.
A pride of toothless Tigers.
The Diocese of Llandaff is the laughing stock of the Church in Wales.
DeleteThe Church in Wales is the laughing stock of the Anglican Communion.
The Anglican Communion is the laughing stock of Christianity.
Christianity is the laughing stock of the world's religions.
The world's religions are a laughing stock of anyone with a brain.
And your invisible imaginary friend is laughing the loudest of all.
If Vicki Burrows is correct that the President of the Disciplinary Tribunal has the powers to suspend a Bishop, why has he not used that power?
DeleteWhat motive would he have for giving Caiaphas preferential treatment by not suspending her?
+Juno has the archdeacons on the case already. Clergy have received an email inviting them to speak with the archdeacons of their concerns "in confidence". That's a laugh in the CiW. "In confidence" usually means that you can tell one person at a time the gossip you have gleaned elsewhere! Clergy are also to receive a questionnaire. I wonder if the questionnaire will dare ask: "Do you have confidence in your bishop?" "Do you hold with the contention that your bishop is a bully?" "Do you have confidence in the senior team of the diocese?" I bet it won't.
DeleteSeymour
I applaud Vicki Burrows for daring to write her letter.
DeleteA culture of fear in the Llandaff Diocese has been the reality for decades and described in considerable detail on other AB threads.
Having said that, does anyone believe that either the Dean of Llandaff or the vicar of Radyr would have dared write to the Western Mail and the Church Times in such terms during the reign of Byzantine --Barry?
It's not that long ago that one of her predecessors in Radyr (the lovely Bill Barlow) was reportedly threatened with having his licenses withdrawn merely for daring to write a critical foreword to an annual report of the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral.
If anything, the fact that so many people are willing to sign letters openly and have them published in national media suggests they are less in fear of this Bishop of Llandaff than perhaps any other in living memory.
Precisely what would be achieved by a "review" into the policies and processes of the Llandaff Cathedral chapter now?
The chapter appear to have identified discrepancies in their finances and accounts then appointed an external independent QC from Manchester to investigate. The outcome has been the Capon Aga Saga resulting from the publication of the most recent Cathedral accounts.
Whilst still leaving a lot to be desired, this seems to be considerably more open and transparent than any previous Cathedral Chapter in living memory too.
Who would pay for any such review, the Parishioners of Radyr and St. Fagans?
The things crying out for investigation at Llandaff are the Organ appeal accounts, Peggy the Pilate and the continuing cover up.
I am convinced both the Dean and the Bishop need to go.
The sooner the better.
"Aga and wood burning stove"
DeleteI thought all AGAs were gas burning. Are you sure it's not a Rayburn?
Even if James Davenport, the Diocesan Registrar of Swansea and Brecon, had the authority as President of a disciplinary tribunal to suspend a Bishop in the circumstances described, firstly he would need to know he such power, secondly he would have to be satisfied he had sufficient grounds to exercise that power, thirdly he would have to have sufficient courage to do so, and fourthly there might be mitigating factors he also have had to consider.
DeleteHowever much of the Aga Saga is being played out publicly, it is safe to say that there's a hell of a lot more to the story still to come out,including why the whole affair has not been reported to South Wales police.
I imagine Vicki Burrows would agree that if she had been accused of having her hands in her Parish accounts to the tune of £70k, it would be a police matter as well as one of suspension pending investigation?
Some more very interesting reading here.
Deletehttps://ecclesiasticallaw.wordpress.com/2021/11/08/aga-saga-the-case-of-llandaff-cathedral/
As straightforward as a huge bowl of spaghetti 🍝
@Evangelical Ed
DeleteThe dark --Lord's golf caddie treated himself to an Aga AND a wood burning stove at his Parishioner's expense.
I understand Agas can be powered by gas, oil, solid fuel or electricity but none are cheap to run or "green".
@LEV
DeleteIs a visitation by the Archbishop really the only serious option?
If so, God help Llandaff.
The chocolate teapot of Bangor can't even run his own Diocese properly!
@Seymour
DeleteOne is intrigued to know if the email to which you refer has also been sent to the many recently removed, retired and paid-off individuals Vicki Burrows imagines are too frightened to add their signatures to her own?
One also wonders if Vicki or another recipient of the email might have the courage to publish it here or otherwise get a copy to Ancient Briton?
Now she's taken the giant first step of going public, hopefully such revelations will continue.
@Episkopos
DeleteThe email reads:
Dear Colleague
If you are a reader of the Church Times you will be aware that there have been letters published in recent weeks about various aspects of life and ministry in the diocese of Llandaff.
As Archdeacons we work hard to spend time alongside you, and in the course of our conversations we try to gain an insight into your hopes and concerns, your joys and frustrations.
This week's letter came as a surprise to us. Our door is always open, and we would have preferred to have one-to-one conversations about any matters of concern. We extend an invitation to you to speak with us about concerns you have about the Diocese. This would be treated as a pastoral conversation and would be in complete confidence.
The senior leadership team is committed to hearing your views in light of the recent letters and we’re asking Matt Batten to put together a survey that you should find in your inbox in the coming days. Your feedback will be completely anonymous and is entirely voluntary.
With every blessing for 2022.
Mike Komor, Rod Green
Hope this helps,
Seymour
Very helpful, thank you Seymour.
DeleteOne now wonders if Vicki Burrows will be the first to take up the Archdeacon's kind invitation?
Pastoral conversations in complete confidence? 🤔
DeleteIn Llandaff? 😂
Do they really believe anyone is really that gullible anymore? 🤣🤣🤣
The only safe way of providing any such feedback while absolutely remaining anonymous would be to do so via this blog.
Likewise with responses to the survey being prepared by Matt Batten.
Have you obtained a copy of that document yet Seymour?
The Archdeacon's email raises several concerns.
Delete1. "This week's letter came as a surprise to us".
If that statement is true then neither of them can claim to have a finger on the Diocesan pulse.
2. "Our door is always open".
If that needed to be put into writing then I suspect the exact opposite is more likely to be the case.
Also,if true, Mike and Rod need to be asking themselves - why has no-one (Gerwyn Capon and Vicki Burrows in particular) felt able to step through the allegedly open doorway?
3. "We would have preferred to have one-to-one conversations".
I'll bet they would.
In my experience this is typical management speak for how lids are kept firmly on cans of worms.
Conversations can be distorted or even denied outright.
One-to-one meetings behind closed doors with no note-taker present and no 'friend' or union Rep invited along to accompany any complainant. How convenient and entirely open to manipulation.
4. Where's the legal references to Whistle blowing legislation and protection or a link to the Church in Wales Whistle blowing policy and procedure along with advice to consult it?
5. Why hasn't the email also been sent to all clergy who have retired since the arrival of Caiaphas?
If Vicki Burrows claims are true, they also need to be included, as do all Diocesan lay staff!
6. Yet another "survey"?
What's the point?
Peggy the Pilate ignored the Eleri Jones report and Gerwhine described its recommendations as "suggestions" before also ignoring it.
The Llandaff Cathedral Lay Chapter invited questions about the Aga saga accounts, promising to publish a "summary" and the answers but have we seen them yet?
Previous experiences only suggest this is just the latest exercise in kicking the can down the road as far as possible.
If Rod and Mike are working hard to spend time among the Llandaff clergy trying to get insights into their hopes, concerns, joys and frustrations then their email is essentially an admission that they've not spent enough time or worked hard enough at it!
DeleteMichael Komor and Roderick Green are both members of the Llandaff Cathedral chapter and are listed as such on the Cathedral website.
DeleteEven if "this week's letter" in the Church Times is a surprise to them, are they also pleading ignorance of the sh*t show of Gerwhine's subversive letters to various parishioners hand delivered by Mr Toad, his mistreatment of the two Davids, large numbers of regulars decamping to St. Martin's in Roath, Gerwhine going AWOL for 21 months, the Aga Saga, the Disciplinary Tribunal and the dud's recent counter allegations of Caiaphas bullying him?
Just what the hell were they doing when all of this was going on under their noses?
Where was their pastoral care and concern for Mrs X, David Jones and David Lambert?
If they'd been committed to hearing people's views all along (rather than merely "in light of the recent letters") maybe the Diocese wouldn't be imploding on their watch.
What a shower.
Assuming anyone bothers to respond to their email or complete the survey and submit it, exactly what will Mike and Rod do next?
DeleteGive the feedback to Caiaphas and ask her to mark her own homework?
Pass it on to the RB for another completely ineffective disciplinary tribunal?
Pass it on to Randy Pandy?
There's not one of them could run a tap never mind a bath.
Dear Mike and Rod.
DeleteThanks for your email.
Instead of poncing about with another pointless bloody survey, when are we going to see Cathedral and Diocesan "Dignity at work" policies?
Yours faithfully,
The abused and discarded.
INTERNAL MEMO - CONFIDENTIAL
DeleteTo: Juno
Cc: Mike; Rod
Dear all.
Just what the f*** do you dopey s*ds think you're f*****g up to now? What do you mean your f****g door is always open? Christ Almighty, the revolting f*****s will be demanding to speak to me next! Can't you f*****s do anything right without being spoon fed by that f******g interfering b*st*rd over in Llys f******g Ego?
And just who's f*****g bright idea was it to suggest another f******g survey? That's not just more f******g work for the idle f******s in Callaghan f*****g Square but more importantly, blowing more of my f******g discretionary funds on f*****g pen-pushers instead of my Gin collection. I demand you recall all copies of that f******g stupid email right now and wind your f*****g necks in all of you. For f****s sake, it's bad enough that I've got to deal with that f*****g Monmouth clusterf**k that dopey tw*t Shirley left behind him, but if you think you're going to land another f******g omnic*ckup in my f*****g In Tray this side of hell f******g freezing over you can f*****g Well think again you dozy b*st*rds.
If I hear any more b*ll*cks about Archf*****gdeacons with open f******g doors and inviting the f******g clergy in for coffee to moan even more than they f******g do already then you two tw*ts can look forward to your own b*ll*cks being nailed to the f*****g West door.
Juno, pull your f*****g thumb out and get a grip before I have to come down there and kick your ars* a dozen times around that f*****g cursed Green. Sack Elias and find yourself someone who can get the f*****g job done on that f*****r Capon or else you'll be on the next f*****g train to Salisbury and I won't be f****g paying for your ticket either.
I warned you in Llandrindod that you needed to get your f*****g sh*t together and normally I'm a patient man but you're taking the f****g p*ss now.
Happy f*****g new year to you all.
++A
PS.
Naomi says you can f*****g forget being invited to our Burns' Night too.
Priceless again SB.
DeleteBravo.
Randy Pandy and Caiaphas will be spitting feathers.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
One suspects Caiaphas penned that email for them.
DeleteIf she did, Episkopos, then she'd be as thick as the idiots that agreed to send it out in their names.
DeleteOne of the reasons Caiaphas is in this mess is the "pastoral" visit the Capon claims to have received from her in May 2020, during which she is alleged to have bullied him by demanding his resignation. On the basis of it having been decided she has a case to answer, the chances are there were no other persons present and it's her word against his as to what was said and how it was said.
Who in their right mind would agree to attend ANY one-to-one meetings in the prevailing toxic Llandaff climate?
Clearly Mike and Rod haven't thought it through because they too would be vulnerable to allegations, false or otherwise.
In the current circumstances all the clergy should arm themselves with digital dictaphones, a supply of memory chips and several fully charged batteries.
Personally I wouldn't trust any of the senior management team.
Who knows where their loyalties really lie?
Darth --Insidious is very obviously still practising his dark arts in the background and allegiances could very easily be changing almost by the hour.
The wisest clergy will be seeking moves out of the Llandaff swamp.
Meanwhile, the pew-sitters would be wise to stop their giving.
You're making two assumptions there Salva nos.
DeleteWho says the idiots agreed to send it in their name and do you believe the idiots would have had any choice in the matter anyway?
It's obviously a futile exercise in damage limitation.
I look forward to the next edition of the Church Times more than I have in years.
Christmas for Caiaphas was bad enough but it looks like Epiphany could be even worse.
Dear Archdeacons.
DeleteIf you are serious about getting to the bottom of the problems in the Diocese, you can start by:
Publishing the report of the investigation by the independent Manchester QC into the Cathedral finances.
Publishing the findings of the RB's Disciplinary Tribunal on the Chapter's allegations against the Dean.
(It is a scandal that Martin Shipton and the Western Mail have seen a copy but the rest of us remain in the dark.)
Providing full details of the efforts by the Cathedral Chapter in seeking restution of the missing £70k and the degree of success resulting from their efforts.
Publishing all the questions put to the Cathedral Chapter via the Cathedral website and the Chapter's answers.
Providing details of the actions to be taken by the Diocesan Parsonage Board about the Aga and wood burning stove in the Deanery, along with confirmation of who is to be liable for the future running costs of them.
Providing a full explanation of the current situation surrounding the Dean, why he wasn't suspended pending investigation and why he wasn't back in work immediately following the outcome of the Disciplinary Tribunal.
Providing a full explanation for the failure to suspend the Bishop pending investigation.
Providing a full explanation for the failure of those who, according to Vicki Burrows, have the power to impose such suspensions along with details of the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken over the failure to apply those powers.
Providing full details of disciplinary action to be taken against all those who have brought into disrepute the Cathedral, Diocese and the Province.
Kind regards,
Tom
PP. Tom, I couldn't agree with you more. Transparency is the only way forward, by the Church to the Church as a matter of great urgency
DeleteTo allow this serious matter to be battled out in the media, hearsay, gossip, and any other medium is absolutely a disgraceful way to conduct the life of the Church. We are told in scripture that Jesus will bring those things hidden into the scrutiny of His light (paraphrase). Obviously, it is looking more and more like the leadership is being dragged, kicking and screaming into His light Why?
Dear Archdeacons,
DeleteHow thoughtful of you to offer to get involved at this late stage.
In addition to Tom's list above, I also have some requests.
Please arrange a full and public inquiry into all the circumstances surrounding
a. the Organ appeal and the repeated refusals to publish full accounts,
b. the sale of the Cathedral investments by John Lewis,
c. the sale of the Cathedral property to the RB at a knockdown price by the Chapter,
d. the sale of the Memorial Hall to the Cathedral school by the Chapter,
e. the lies of Peggy Jackson resulting in the redundancies of the Cathedral Lay Clerks,
f. the disappearance of Janet Henderson,
g. the disappearance of Ceirion Gilbert,
h. the poison pen letters to various Parishioners from Gerwyn Capon,
i. the failure to suspend Gerwyn Capon pending investigation of the poison pen letters,
j. the failure to publish Cathedral communicant numbers since December 2015,
k. the failure to publish all recent Cathedral Quinquennial reports.
I also request all Chapter minutes from the Acts books be published in full from the year 2000 to the present day.
The question is this - are you up to the task before you?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
Dear Rod and Mike,
DeleteDon't forget to include a thorough examination of and investigation into the veracity of the claims Capon wrote in his letter to the Charity Commissioners concerning the Organ appeal, and also into John Baldwin's fund L057R.
You'll be able to find them in the Cathedral office, filed on the shelf under the heading The "Fiction".
And don't forget to let us all know what you discover.
Good hunting,
The Donors and Fundraisers
Dear Archdeacons,
DeleteDo you remember this recent statement issued by the Church in Wales in relation to another member of your Chapter?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56807272
There is no place for any form of abuse.
Abuse takes many forms and it isn't only children who can be vulnerable.
Capon and Osborne are both bullies.
Both need to be sacked.
Dear Mike and Roderick,
DeleteRightly or wrongly it is widely perceived that a significant part of the many problems in Llandaff is the continuing presence of Barry Morgan and that he continues to wield a malign influence in the Diocese.
I understand that this isn't merely a matter of convention or custom and practise, but also a requirement of the Constitution of the Church in Wales that upon retirement, a Bishop must relocate outside what was his Diocese.
Why then has Morgan been allowed to remain in Whitchurch in Cardiff?
To make matters worse, Morgan is regularly seen attending services at Llandaff Cathedral and calling at the Deanery.
Such conduct might easily be considered as insulting to and undermining of June Osborne.
Why have the Church in Wales authorities failed to take appropriate action to stop Morgan behaving in this way?
In the present circumstances in the Diocese, June Osborne might have a valid complaint that she has not been supported as she should have been, that Morgan's on-going presence in the locality has been deliberate, that she has been set up to fail and that his on-going presence is not merely a form of bullying but a course of conduct amounting to harassment.
Is this issue covered by the Constution or not?
If it is, why has the Constitution not been enforced against Morgan?
If the Constitution can't be enforced, what's the point of the Constitution?
I look forward to reading your detailed response at your earliest convenience.
I can’t find any mention of where Bishops may live after retirement in the Constitution. Also it is not unusual for bishops to retire to their own diocese. Wyn Evans retired to St Davids, Anthony Pierce and John Davies retired to S and B, I believe John Davies retired to St Asaph and so on and so on.
DeleteConey Beach
Are you one of the Llandaff Archdeacons CB?
DeleteHas no-one else seen today's Western Mail.
Deletethe fan is busy spreading the muck once more on page 12.
@Coney Beach
DeleteThank you for taking the time and trouble to read through the constitution. I have neither the time nor the patience.
If there is no direction about a Bishop moving out of their Diocese following retirement, then there should be.
Vicars have to leave their Parishes on retirement, I'm sure.
Why should it be any different for the plankers?
If I was Juno I wouldn't want Barry Morgan anywhere near Llandaff.
I'm certain I read somewhere he was hoping his pals in the Taffia were going to nominate him for the House of Lords and he'd been planning to be called Lord Morgan of Gwauncaegurwen.
In any case, such a change to the constitution should be added to the list contained in the Monmouth Pain report.
At the very least, Morgan's continuing presence is undermining and unwelcome.
PP. This article seems to provide some ecclesiastical legal precidence for the CiW. The writer also has a number of other articles that may give some clarification of current troubles and the way forward:
ReplyDeletehttps://ecclesiasticallaw.wordpress.com/2021/12/18/a-metropolitical-visitation-of-monmouth/
Happy New Year June.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely 2022.
Lots of love and hugs.
Vicki.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59841419
ReplyDeleteTony Blair the war monger has been "honoured".
What a joke and what an insult to all those killed in Iraq over the dodgy dossier of weapons of mass destruction that could be deployed in 45 seconds.
I feel utterly nauseated.
I wonder how the Cobynista DodoJo feels about it?
I doubt if a Corbynista would have much time for Tony Blair, regarding him as a traitor to Socialism.
DeletePP. So good to have some good grassroots good news in CiW. The Vicar of St Thomas's Swansea is awarded in the New Year's Honours for services to his community.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, AB. A national journalist would not do better, if as well. An admirable summary of events in the Church in Wales over recent decades. Ironic, though, that a female cleric should be the one to object publicly.
ReplyDeleteRob
"In 2004 'fury' and 'anger' surrounded the appointment of Britain's first divorced bishop in North Wales when the Archdeacon of Carmarthen was declared the unanimous choice of the church's Bench of Bishops ..."
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, scarcely more than twenty years earlier than that, I recall an incumbent being determinedly edged out of his Welsh parish by his bishop simply because his wife had abruptly left him in order to move in with one of her work colleagues. No suggestion whatever of misconduct of any nature on his part, so presumably 'guilt by association' was deemed sufficent offence.
This headline caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteJuno recovering in Norfolk.
😂😂😂
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-59820368
DPM. The Llandaff saga is a huge cesspit. We know this as it is reported and still to enfold. That said. The best to thing around is to speedily ask the SW Police to discreetly investigate. The Dean should be dismissed asap no other not for profit would allow this to continue look at Lincoln, now with the retirement of its bishop being place in the oversight care of Ely!
ReplyDeleteThe Bishop possible is a bully,but sometimes in a toxic environment, your worse side is revealed. She has street cred having managed a huge cathedral so arriving at Llandaff it would not take her long to see the problems. She has tried to sort it. But, her tactics may have been heavy handed,now costing her own tenure to be in serious question. But,are we really certain that her predecessor has, is, hitting hard in the background, seeing his former empire being opened to scrutiny? Hence the Dean hanging on for grim life.
What should happen. That many views, ideas, solutions. My view, engage the SW Police, dismiss the Dean citing clearly the evidence against him, which is watertite and can be proven through a trail of paperwork. Then, give the Bishop timeout or, early retirement. Before any new Bishop or Dean is appointed, put the Sees oversight in the hands of another bishop (even a retired one) or, merge the see into Monmouth or Brecon. An extraordinary meeting of the GB called and all loop holes in the constitution plugged and greater powers given to the AB, a new AB council appointed made up of clergy and laity and only the AB. This body to over see the governance of the AB the discipline of bishops and senior clergy The big issue is Llandaff crisis, this has to be a criminal investigation in the case of the cathedral and for the diocese, a swift time bound enquiry into the bishops governance, perhaps a senior academic specialist in ecclesiastical governance, theology, ethic might be far better than a QC.
But in the cold light of of day, I believe that the former Bishop should equally be investigated in this matter. Perhaps his tenure should be in the mix, revealing what state the diocese was in when JunO took the Throne, that would reveal if her strategy was right? Like her, lump her, the women has done what she perceived as her best in the circumstances, that has a portion of credibility. Time will tell. With this and the Monmouth Report 2022 looks another annus horribilus.
I believe the 'rap sheet' on Bishop June will be long and egregious. When all is brought into the light, he unsuitability for the episcopate will be so obvious that it will seem like a sick joke that she ever was appointed. Horrible due diligence by the Bench of the day which, I imagine, was roundly celebrated in Salisbury when she accepted.
ReplyDeleteWHAMAB
Due diligence in the Church in Wales??
DeleteWhat a preposterous idea.
😂😂😂
PP. If you read the following commendation on June' election below its interesting noting her attributes and the current situation:
Deletehttps://womenandthechurch.org/news/watch-congratulates-june-osborne/
So interesting.
If Vicki Burrows is a member of WatCh she might not be for much longer.
DeleteThe sisterhood can turn very bitchy very quickly.
Thank you and God bless you for keeping us informed.. this is an important work exposing apostasy.
ReplyDeleteAn unexpected consequence of the Llandaff mess is increased sympathy for the Deanery Dud. But against the Monstrosity on the Green perhaps we should not be too surprised. Both a disaster.
ReplyDeleteLW
Be assured LW, there is no sympathy for the antiques dealing dud from among those who received his poison pen letters or to whom he referred as "subversive". Let him reap as he has sown.
DeleteThank you Cymru'r Groes for reminding us of Clifford Williams whom the Dark Lord continues to pursue. Christmas this year was surely a flop for His Darkness and the publication department. It took a prominent Professor Canon Lawyer Norman Doe QC, along with proof readers to ensure a complete rewrite. Enforcer.
ReplyDeleteCaiaphas is getting another roasting on page 12 of today's Western Mail.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange how, in contrast to the usual PR bullshit soundbites pumped out from the Diocese on her behalf (remember the article and picture of her stuffing her jowls with a Clarke's Pie in the Grangetown shop?), she is suddenly so reluctant to speak to Martin Shipton?
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/western-mail/20220105/281702618057554
Bishop's suspension call in diocese 'culture of fear'.
A VICAR has claimed there is a "climate of fear" in the Church in Wales diocese of Llandaff and has called for the bishop to be suspended.
The Bishop of Llandaff did not wish to comment.
This is the part that fascinates me.
DeleteA spokesman for the Church in Wales' national office said: "We note the contents of the letter from the Reverend Vicki Burrows.
Since publication, the Archdeacon of Llandaff has been in contact with the author in order to seek clarification on the issues she has raised.
The Church in Wales takes all allegations of bullying seriously.
So the Archdeacon of Llandaff is investigating Vicki Burrows' complaints of bullying by, and her calls to suspend Caiaphas. Just how will the Archdeacon suspend his boss the Bishop?
I call bullshit, especially the bit about the Church in Wales takes all allegations of bullying seriously!
If Martin Shipton is correct then it appears that Mike Komor has read this blog and the tea leaves, and decided to keep well clear of this stinking mass of corruption and ineptitude.
DeleteVery wise Mike, very wise indeed.
I wonder what we can infer from the statement that "The Bishop of Llandaff did not wish to comment."
DeleteThis is not the first time Martin Shipton has reported her recently developed reluctance for publicity.
It could well be that she's been gagged by the Randy Pandy or the RB. It's equally likely that she's been told to keep shtwm by her lawyers or those of the RB.
It cannot be easy for her to be taking such a pasting in the press and not be allowed to speak out in her own defence.
Following the recent publication of the report resulting from the investigation into the Monmouth/Richard Pain scandal, perhaps she's taken a leaf out of the books of Sister Lister and his Archdeacons.
DeleteIf so, let's see if she gets the credit for it in relation to the Capon's Organ Appeal/Aga Saga scandal.
So the Archdeacon of Llandaff is "seeking clarification" is he?
DeleteWhat part of Llandaff Diocese is toxic needs clarification?
It sounds to me more like the latest games of 'hunt the mole' and 'hunt the moaners' have just got under way.
The grapevine on The Green is reporting whispers of panic finally setting in at the RB with calls for an emergency meeting next week.
DeleteHave they finally woke up after the DodoJo Tory Story, the Monmouth Pain and the Capon's Aga Saga?
If true it's taken them long enough!
DeleteBut what are they going to do, offer the golf caddie a payout, offer Caiaphas a payout, make them both an offer they can't refuse?
The RB is not short of a few £million but what if neither one nor the other will agree to go?
The stalemate will persist indefinitely.
The ears in the walls report Gerwhine has already been made more than one very generous offer to go quietly but he has told Caiaphas where to shove her offers.
DeleteObviously Darth --Insidious has made him better offers to stay and keep the skeletons locked in the cupboards for him.
PP. This who saga is becoming a Carry on Film or, Keystone Cops Series. So much incompetence beggars belief. Is absolutely no one accountable? How much longer can this go on? At least for the sake of any clerical/laity "victims" it's not in the wider media yet.
ReplyDelete"Carry on Caiaphas" starring Llandaff's Hattie Jacques?
DeleteWith the role of Dean played by Kenneth Williams?
DeleteRelax! Everything's fine in the Diocese of Llandaff...according to letters in Church Times.
ReplyDeleteSaggyoldclothcat
DPM. The Church Times today has clear letters of support for the Bishop. They make clear reference to her stoic strong leadership, but equally pastoral care. So, who is right?
ReplyDeleteCould this storm be an act of sabotage from the golf caddy and his cesspit. Strange how no voices from Salisbury have not added to the fuel, if the bishop is that toxic, her tenure of the deanery would have marked out the blueprint of her plans in Llandaff.
What is needed is some serious investigation into sources and proven events in confidence by, another external party. But, one might say here we go again! Two previous reports, Monmouth being the most damming, Harries and several disciplinary cases, surely shows a Church that has difficulty self governing.
Set aside the AB tenures of John Davies and Barry Morgan, in decades before was the Rowan or his predecessors equally to blame for the inaction, autocratic governance that has now brought inertia to the CiW?
Here's the link.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/7-january/comment/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor
To paraphrase that paragon of virtue Mandy Rice Davies, "They would say that, wouldn't they?"
How could they do otherwise?
How do we know who's telling the truth or who's covering their own ars* because they were completely unaware of what has been going on behind the scenes?
One little gem from the ears in the walls is that Vicki Burrows has allegedly been providing Gerwhine with "pastoral support".
Bless his little cotton socks. 🧦
What pastoral support did she offer or provide to the recipients of Gerwhine's poison pen letters?
Answers on a postcard to the Archdeacon of Llandaff.
What a load of fluff and guff, smoke and mirrors.
DeleteThese letters appear to be contrived and co-ordinated, as though the authors have been given their own little list of bullet points to make.
If the two Archdeacons and Matt Batten are supposed to be doing an investigation and survey into Vicki Burrows' concerns, they can hardly be considered to be independent, open-minded or objective.
It's a blatant conflict of interest and they have obviously taken sides without starting an investigation, never mind completing one.
Are they SO THICK that they can't see that this is totally inappropriate?
Just because these people don't recognise Vicki Burrow's description of the Diocese doesn't mean Burrows is wrong, it might simply be that they haven't been on the receiving end of Juno's ire!
"If she hasn't bullied me then she can't be a bully"?
Clearly, any investigation needs to be carried out by appropriately experienced and qualified objective third parties from outside the Diocese and probably from outside the Province.
Here's a headline article too.
DeleteHeigh ho, happy days.
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/7-january/news/uk/llandaff-archdeacons-respond-to-letter-calling-for-suspension-of-bishop-osborne
Llandaff archdeacons respond to letter calling for suspension of Bishop Osborne
A LETTER to the Church Times from a cleric in the Church in Wales, calling for the suspension of the Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Revd June Osborne, has drawn a prompt response from the Archdeacon of Margam, the Ven. Mike Komor, and the Archdeacon of Llandaff, the Ven. Rod Green.
The Revd Vicki Burrows, Vicar of Radyr, St Fagans, and Michaelston-super-Ely, and Garth Ministry Area Leader in Llandaff diocese, said that she spoke for many clergy in describing a “culture of fear” in the diocese (Letters, 31 December).
The finding of a disciplinary committee of the Church in Wales — that Bishop Osborne had a “case to answer” in regard to the charges of bullying and harassment brought against her by the Dean of Llandaff, the Very Revd Gerwyn Capon — should have led to the Bishop’s suspension while the seriousness of the allegations was investigated, she said.
She also made reference to an open letter, signed by Dr Nicholas Mason and 22 others from Llandaff Cathedral, and published the previous week in the Church Times (Letters, 17/24 December). The signatories described the cathedral as a “spiritual wasteland, in which pastoral sensitivity has been replaced by managerial authoritarianism, and where reputation and power matter more than the gospel and truth”.
They declared their intention to ask the Archbishop of Wales, the Rt Revd Andrew John, to “institute a comprehensive, transparent, and fully independent inquiry into the senior leadership of Llandaff diocese since the appointment of Bishop Osborne”.
The letter from Ms Burrows had “come as a surprise to us”, the Archdeacons said in a response circulated by email to all the Llandaff clergy. “Our door is always open, and we would have preferred to have had one-to-one conversations about any matters of concern.”
The pair invited clergy to “speak with us about concerns you have about the Diocese. This would be treated as a pastoral conversation and would be in complete confidence.
“The senior leadership team is committed to hearing your views in light of the recent letters and we’re asking Matt Batten [director of communications for Llandaff] to put together a survey that you should find in your inbox in the coming days. Your feedback will be completely anonymous and is entirely voluntary.”
The survey has not yet gone out. There is reported to be scepticism among some of the recipients of the email, however, about the guaranteed anonymity of respondents. One pointed out the ease with which survey organisers could trace the names of individual respondents, in the prevailing “climate of fear” identified above.
One might wish to consider where loyalties lie and who owes who what for their patronage.
DeleteThis stinks of Caiaphas having taken a leaf out of Barry Morgan's black book.
Rod Green
Revd Rod Green was licensed as Archdeacon of Llandaff by Bishop June Osborne on Sunday 5th September 2021. Rod joins us from One Church Harrow, a resource church in the Diocese of London.
Mike Komor
Born and brought up in the diocese, Michael has lived nearly all his life in the Margam Archdeaconry. After receiving a degree in Applied Social Psychology he married Anne, and trained at Chichester Theological College. They have three grown children. He has served in the Deaneries of the Cynon Valley, Vale of Glamorgan, and Bridgend.
(The only one apparently not appointed during Juno's reign).
James Laing
James lived in the Middle East, Africa and England before moving to Cardiff in 2019 where he enjoys worship in Llandaff Cathedral and his children love the local church schools. With experience in business, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches James is excited by the diversity of God’s people and the energy of the Holy Spirit in active loving service and growing the Kingdom of God.
Mike Lawley
Michael Lawley has been Chair of the Llandaff Diocesan Board of Finance since 2017 and was recently re-appointed for a further term of office. Mike is a chartered surveyor and is chairman of Cooke and Arkwright. He lives in Rhiwbina, Cardiff and together with his wife Kath, attends All Saints Church, Rhiwbina.
Tim Jones
Tim joined the Diocese in 2021, having previously served in the Dioceses of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich and the Diocese of Mississippi. His primary role is to support the diocese’s implementation of its vision, Where Faith Matters. He is also busy learning Welsh on Duolingo.
Sarah Rogers
Sarah was born in 1973, in Caldicot, where her father was Vicar. Having studied Biochemistry at the University of York, Sarah then came to Cardiff University to study for a PhD. Sarah spent 12 years as a Research Scientist, working in both Cardiff University and UHW. Over the years Sarah developed a growing sense of vocation which was nurtured in St Teilo’s in Cathays.
Sarah has been Bishop’s Chaplain in 2017, having previously been appointed as Vicar of Abercynon and Diocesan Youth Chaplain in 2012. She enjoys singing, reading and crafts such as knitting and embroidery.
Michael Gable
Michael was ordained in Llandaff Cathedral in 1995 as deacon and 1996 as priest. His curacy was in the Parish of Newton Nottage from where he moved to become vicar of Aberavon Holy Trinity. Michael played a part in the creation of the Rectorial Benefice of Aberavon in 2001 when he became one of the team vicars. Michael has been in Pontypridd for the past 15 years.
In 2018 Michael was appointed Dean of Deans, a role which provides a link between the area deans and the senior leadership team of the diocese.
Michael is married to Kristen and they have 3 children, one in college and two in university.
Matt Batten
Matt joined the Diocese in 2019 to lead their digital communications transformation programme. He previously worked in policy and public relations for Stonewall Cymru and has also specialised in Organisational Development and internal communications at the Royal College of Nursing. Matt has a degree in Religious Studies, Masters in Ecumenical Studies and an unhealthy obsession with Star Trek.
Matt tweets far too much at @CommsGuyMatt.
(All information copied from the website of the Llandaff Diocesan Board of Finance)
Any investigation involving Komor, Green or Batten has been well and truly compromised by their letter.
Rank amateurs all.
"As members of the senior leadership team of the diocese of Llandaff, we simply do not recognise the descriptions of the Bishop, the Rt Revd June Osborne, and the diocese which have appeared in the Church Times over the past month (News, 26 November; Letters, 17/24 December, 31 December). The last thing that we want to do is to contribute to a war of words in the press, but we feel we cannot remain silent any longer."
DeleteSarah Rogers has neglected to make clear in the letter that she's the Bishop's personal Chaplain, .i.e., Caiaphas' glove puppet/golf caddie.
The notion that she is any more independent of Caiaphas than Gerwhine was of His --Darkness is risible.
Sarah also seems to have developed a short and/or selective memory.
It has been reported on this blog several times (and remains unchallenged) that she was present at the meeting with the two Davids (Jones & Lambert) during which, when asked "In what capacity are you here today?", June Osborne answered "I am the accuser!", which in turn led to Juno being labelled Caiaphas (the false accuser).
For Sarah Rogers to have put her signature to this letter claiming she doesn't "recognise" descriptions of the Bishop behaving like a bully suggests she has pocketed 30 pieces of silver.
Where will this all end?
Isn't it truly staggering to note that, yet again, not ONE of the correspondents makes any reference to the herd of elephants stamping around on The Green?
DeleteThe Organ appeal cover up.
The letter of lies to the Charity Commission.
Gerwhine's nasty bullying poison pen letters to his own congregation.
That Caiaphas now accepts that Gerwhine lied to her about the subversives and the two Davids.
The £22k AGA and wood burning stove in the Deanery and the rest of the missing £70k, including the £3k+ given to the slimy amphibian Toad.
It's as though the alleged theft by the Dean has never taken place and there is no Aga sat in the Deanery kitchen.
The time must soon arrive when the entire Cathedral Chapter resign en masse in protest at the lack of progress dealing with the Capon.
Edwin Counsell has made a complete fool of himself.
Delete"Christian leadership is tough going:.... Indeed, ask June Osborne as she leads..."
Martin Shipton has been asking her for weeks but she has refused to comment.
"It is now a decade since the Harries report proposed a move to larger, sustainable ministry areas..."
The Misery Areas are not sustainable.
Vicki Burrow, her curate and two lay people have to care for eight Churches and Parishes. That's an impossible task and Pastoral care has gone to the dogs.
The Misery Areas are just another example of "managed decline" designed to paper over the cracks of way too few clergy.
Plus the Harries report recommended doing away with three Dioceses.
What progress there Edwin?
"Expectations of collaboration and mutual trust between clergy and churches".
And how's that going in the Parish and Cathedral of Llandaff Edwin?
Same circus, different clowns.
"The truth is these are exciting times for Llandaff. After a wide-ranging consultation, we are delivering the diocesan vision."
DeleteCue raucous laughter from every pub and optometrist's in the Diocese.
"Indeed, our whole diocesan culture is in the process of being transformed."
DeleteThe view from the Petri dish.
"A wise head nestling under the mitre."
DeleteSo why did it take more than two years to see through the lies of Gerwhine and Mr Toad?
To quote my 94 year-old mother this afternoon.
Delete"Are these people children?"
Exciting times for Llandaff?
DeleteAre they playing "Hide'n'seek" with Gerwhine's shiny new Aga?
What's the chances next week's Church Times contains six letters to the Editor, orchestrated by His --Darkness from the likes of Nick Mason and John Pockett claiming that Vicki Burrows has gone on sick leave herself with stress caused by further bullying?
DeleteThe worst part of the article in Friday's Church Times is the final paragraph.
DeleteMike Komor, Rod Green and Matt Batten haven't found the time to put together or distribute the "survey" but have found the time to compose and sign their letter to the Editor.
As suspected and alleged by blog contributors, their loyalties demonstrate they are neither independent nor impartial and their credibility is non-existent.
That several recipients of their email have already expressed public scepticism over the guaranteed anonymity says it all.
They're as much use as a sausage roll at a Barmitzvah.
This story has provided the perfect opportunity for those on the receiving end of the Capon's poison pen letters to write a joint letter to the Church Times editor describing their experiences of his bullying and enclosing copies of the poison pen letters as supporting evidence.
DeleteThe Deanery is made of glass rather than either gingerbread or brick.
I think Michael Komer WAS appointed by
ReplyDelete-June.
As Archdeacon,of course.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't quite clear from the DBF website, hence the use of the word "apparently".
DeleteEnoch. Children can be taught. I think your mum is very astute!
ReplyDeleteShe also says "You can't teach stupid!"
DeletePP. Well it is Panto season and the green would be excellent for a venue. Enoch's Mum is spot on, wisdom comes from age, so children love panto, and so casting the childish principals of the saga, as a panto cast, would be a fair way to do some team building, don't you agree?.
ReplyDeleteSo in this saga, we may as well cast for "The Cathedral Green Panto 2022".
As tbh the saga serious as it may be, is becoming the laughing stock of the Anglican Church. The cry of this blog, the wider Church is towards its leaders is: "For goodness sake, someone show some tenacity and Vivacity and stop ringing their hands in pious overtones" It won't blow over this time!.
Now back to the much more important panto. Who shall we cast and in what role?
Well, I know of three ugly sisters !!!
ReplyDeleteThe Capon 🐔 and the Beanstalk?
DeleteGerwhine 🐔 climbs the Beanstalk to pinch the Ogre's 👹(Caiaphas) gold coins 💰 (the £70k) from the Castle 🏰 (the Cathedral) to buy a new cooker (the Aga) for his ancient and crumbling derelict 🌈 house 🏡 (the Deanery).
Capon 🐔 gets away with the initial theft, jumps down the Beanstalk and starts living high on the hog telling everyone that the Aga and everything else were a gift from his old fairy 🧚♂️ Godmother (bully boy -Bazza) for being a good boy 😇 and keeping all the toxic ☠ secrets hidden.
One of the Ogre's 👹 Canon trolls 🦹♂️(Elias QC) notices the gold is missing and alerts the Ogre 👹 .
The Ogre 👹 comes romping down the Magic Beanstalk and shows up at the 🌈 Deanery 🏡 demanding to be let in. Thinking the 🌈 Deanery 🏡 is made of gingerbread, the Ogre 👹 shouts "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down." 🌪️
But the greedy little piggy 🐽 within knows his fairy 🧚♂️ Godmother has installed him in a 🌈 house 🏡 made of bricks.
Having failed to break into the 🌈 Deanery 🏡, the Ogre 👹 sees Puss-in-Boots 🙀 (Peggy the Pilate), grabs her by the scruff of the neck and asks "What can I do now Pussy?". Puss-in-boots says "There's more than one way to skin a cat, you need to call Prince 🤴 Charming, he'll help."
The next week, Prince 🤴 Charming (Martin Shipton) goes to press 📰 telling all about the Ogre's 👹 stolen hoard but forgets to mention the role of the Fairy 🧚♂️ Godmother.
Feeling pleased with himself, the following day the Capon 🐔 is feeling hungry because Goldilocks (Mr Toad 🐸) hasn't shown up to make his porridge 🥣. So the Capon 🐔 ventures out of the 🌈 Deanery 🏡 to look for more magic 🧙♂️ corn 🌽 on the Green to heat on his Aga in his kitchen and make himself some popcorn 🍿.
So busy is the Capon 🐔 looking for more corn 🌽 he doesn't spot the Ogre 👹 creeping up on him with arms outstretched.
By sheer luck, Buttons (Vicki Burrows) is on her way to visit her little friend the Capon 🐔 , as she has been feeling sorry 😔 for him because he has been feeling sorry 😢 for himself too, all because his Fairy 🧚♂️ Godmother's magic doesn't seem to work any more 😭.
As Buttons turns the corner onto the Green, she spots the Ogre 👹 creeping up on the Capon 🐔 and screams at the top of her voice "LOOK OUT, LOOK OUT, SHE'S BEHIND YOU!"
The Capon 🐔 hears the warning ⚠ just in time ⌚ and scuttles back into the 🌈 Deanery 🏡, bolting the door 🚪 behind him.
Extremely angry with the Capon's escape, the Ogre 👹 sends her two Archtrolls 🧟♂️🧟♂️ after Buttons with orders to beat her up with a survey 📒.
The Ogre 👹 then calls in reinforcement Trolls 🧟♂️🧟♀️🧟♂️🧟♀️🧟♂️🧟♀️ from Bridgend to assist in demolishing the 🌈 Deanery 🏡.
On the other side of the Green, Rapunzel👸 (Sarah Rogers) opens the top floor window of her Ivory Tower 🗼 and lets down her hair for the Ogre 👹 but the Ogre 👹 realises that's no help whatsoever and Rapunzel 👸is later seen on the Green crying her eyes out feeling she's let down the Ogre 👹.
Meanwhile, the gullible Oompah Loompahs who also occasionally visit the Green for some peace and quiet have been annoyed by the Ogre 👹 stomping around trying to get their money 💰 back, so they get in touch with the Genie 🧞♂️ with the Magic lamp 🔦 (Randy Pandy) to ask for three wishes ⚡⚡⚡.
But the Genie 🧞♂️ with the Magic Lamp 🔦 doesn't want to get involved in this Pantomime and sends the Oompah Loompahs a rocket 🚀 of his own that ended with lots of offs.
And they all lived happily ever after.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Bravo once more Sir.
DeleteThe plankers will not be happy. I wonder how many of those who have been bullied might include the word "Pantomime" in their sermons tomorrow?
🤣
Hilarious Subversive Bishop.
DeleteHowever, I am saddened to note that you have omitted any mention of the Pantomime Horse 🐴.
Might I be so bold as to suggest Edwin Counsell?
It's all very well him describing how wonderful his life is in the Diocese of Llandaff nowadays, but he has neglected to share with the readers of the Church Times that, (unlike Vicki Burrows in Radyr who has only one curate), he has no less than SEVEN retired members of clergy in his Misery Area helping him to keep the show on the road. 🎪 🤹♂️
I can see it now.
Counsell at the head 🐴, braying like a Donkey, followed by the seven retirees in order of seniority, each with their head up the ars* of the one in front, and the most junior at the rear end, wagging the tail to keep the flies away from the sh*t.
🐴🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎💩💩💩
Giddy up Ned!
Best Panto in Wales this year.
DeleteEven better, the tickets to the show are free!
😂😂😂
One wonders which seven Pantomime Horses Ars*s have their heads up Counsells jacksey?
DeleteWhat a shame Captain Peacock is no longer around to shout out on stage "Are you free Mr Humphries?" only to be answered by Mr Toad 🐸 "I'm free!"
DeleteTwo of the seven in the Pantomime horse were, until very recently, members of the Llandaff Chapter.
DeleteThey will know all about the Cathedral organ appeal cover up and might well have been in office when the Aga was installed - Archdeacon Philip Morris and Canon Peter Cox.
Who's side are they taking in the Llandaff civil war?
The ears in the walls report that the RB is so worried about the Llandaff Aga Saga, from Monday they are introducing mandatory anti-social distancing for all clergy.
DeletePP O my days, Subversive Bishop; brilliant script.
ReplyDeleteah. Dear Mr Counsell. SSC until he smelled the red piping.
ReplyDeleteThe lure of the red piping.
DeleteGet thee behind me Satan.
@Seymour
ReplyDeleteOne wonders if you have received a copy of the "survey" yet?
The number and nature of the questions might themselves be revealing,not to mention ripe for further lampooning.
Sorry, Episkopos, but I haven't.
DeleteSeymour
Following their stage-managed letter writing along with the responses on here and from elsewhere, the proposed survey might never appear.
DeleteA reputable organisation/charity would have been expected to give the task to an HR specialist with a proven track record of dealing with serious allegations of bullying rather than a diocesan PR/communications mouthpiece.
The survey was sent via email last Thursday
ReplyDeleteDon't do surveys
Although that seems to be at odds with the statement in the Church Times last Friday, thank you for the information anyway.
DeleteNow it remains to be seen if someone will post it here so the mere mortals (those who will inevitably be expected to foot the bill) can continue to enjoy the "openness and transparency" of the last few weeks.
One wonders if Gerwhine Capon, Vicki Burrows, Nick Mason, John Pockett et al were included on the mailing list?
DeleteIt would be very interesting to know if Matt Batten has had the courage to include any of the questions Seymour suggested.
DeleteSomehow I doubt it.
The view of the Church in Wales and Church of England from the other side of the pond.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2kG3a7LGwI
Start viewing from 21 minutes onwards, sit back and either laugh or cry.
They're not wrong.
DeleteThe mangled pronunciation of Gerwyn almost sounds like "vermin".
How apt.
More bad news for Caiaphas in today's Church Times.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/14-january/comment/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor
The Parishioners of Llanishen are now revolting too.
Randy Pandy and the RB seem to be as impotent as ever.
If such Parishes want to force the issue they must stop paying their Parish share.
"Sorry, that page wasn’t found."
Deletehttps://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/14-january/comment/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor
DeleteThis is the link copied and pasted from the Church Times website and it seems to work for me.
Failing that, just Google "The Church Times letters to the Editor" then click on the link for the latest edition.
Another Parish about which the two Archdeacons seem to know nothing.
DeleteIf ignorance is bliss they seem to be leading idyllic existences.
Curious to note Llanishen was the final Parish of an Archdeacon allegedly bullied out of his Archdeaconry, resulting in a very recent early retirement after extended periods of sick leave.
DeleteAnyone else spotting the Diocesen pattern?
It worked on the second attempt, when I deleted the second "letters-to-the-editor". By that time I'd submitted my "Sorry..." comment.
DeleteThere has been no suggestion of the former Archdeacon having had his hands in the plate to the tune of £70k and the elephant still dancing on The Green is the Aga in the Deanery kitchen which, strangely enough once again, the Llanishen letter writers have chosen to ignore.
DeleteIs the Capon's Aga invisible or something?
Yes. The pattern continues at Ystrad Mynach.
ReplyDeleteThat confirms rumours of another Canon from Llandaff Cathedral being on sick leave, one of the inner Chapter no less.
DeleteIf correct, the Archdeacon's claims to have been surprised by the complaints made to the Church Times seem less and less likely to be true.
Or they were oblivious to the goings on taking place under their noses.
In either case they should both be considering their positions.
The gossip on The Green today says Juno is embroiled in another scandal but in St. Asaph this time.
DeleteWhispers of another bullying accusation from a member of the St. Asaph Diocesan Board of Finance staff on extended sick leave, another disciplinary investigation without a suspension and contracted negotiations into another significant pay-off with an attached gagging clause.
How many accusers will it take?
Obviously the answer is more than
Deletea) the Capon
b) the Llandaff 23
c) Vicki Burrows
d) the former Archdeacon (now retired)
e) the Llanishen 17
f) the St. Asaph 1
It also sounds as there is no solidarity from the staff in the Llandaff DBF (who signed the choreographed letter of support for Caiaphas two weeks ago) for their colleague(s) in the St. Asaph DBF.
The smart money says Randy Pandy will refuse any investigation and will decline to become involved on the usual flimsiest of excuses.
If Gregorius Maximus wades in on behalf of his member of staff against Caiaphas then the fun and games will really start!
You can scrub the Capon from the list Gabriel, he's at least as much of a bully as Juno.
DeleteNot to mention a tea leaf.
There's nothing worse than a bent Copper or a bent Vicar.
Except perhaps a bent Bishop?
The ears in the walls report that Randy Pandy has already written to Nick Mason and John Pockett to tell them where to stick their investigation.
DeleteIn which case the pew sitters in Llanishen totally wasted their time writing to the Church Times on Friday.
DeleteTheir requests falling on deaf ears etc.
But there's none so deaf as those who aren't listening.
A chocolate teapot doesn't have ears!
@Gabriel
DeleteDon't forget to include David Jones and David Lambert in your list.
The ears in the walls report that the hue and cry are out in the latest game of "hunt the mole" in Llandaff.
DeleteThe problem is that the hunt now also has to cover all of St. Asaph.
The Diocese of Llandaff.
Delete"Where no-one matters".
The Diocese of Llandaff.
Delete"Where f**k all matters!"
Cheers 🥂 🍾 🍻 🍹
DPM. How can a bishop in another Diocese caused upset to a DBF in St Asaph? Must be through her Provincial role, whatever that is?
ReplyDeleteApparently something to do with Education being in her portfolio of Church in Wales wide responsibilities.
DeleteJuno holds the Provincial Portfolio for Education and the St Asaph Director of Education has been absent for almost two years in unexplained circumstances.
DeleteInterestingly, the Llandaff Director of Education has recently resigned (not retired) following an almighty bust-up with Juno heard on The Green and beyond.
Saggyoldclothcat
Hole 🕳 in one ⛳!!
DeleteIf any of this is true then why the hell hasn't the fat man of St. Asaph stood up for his Diocesen director of education?
DeleteThe Establishment protecting the Establishment once more?
Unbelievable.
So much for pastoral care of one's flock!
@Saggyoldclothcat
DeleteSo what has Gregory been doing for two years to protect his diocesan director of education from Caiaphas?
Too busy promoting gay marriage perhaps?
Sounds and smells like another cover up to me.
DeleteStinks of more swamp gas.
So it has emerged that the Capon and Rosalind Williams have both been off work for almost two years.
DeleteCoincidence?
Gabriel's Llandaff "pattern" has spread.
What might be the common factor(s)?
Following their letter to the Church Times, were the Llandaff Archdeacons and DBF staff also oblivious to the circumstances surrounding the disappearances of the the two DBF Directors of Education?
DeleteIt's time for the few remaining Llandaff pew sitters to demand a "sneak-a-peek" into the Bridgend DBF office.
The pew sitters will do well to remember that Caiaphas was the choice of the plankers after the failure of the Electoral College to select Barry Morgan's chosen successor, Jeffrey John.
DeleteDPM. I thought the DDE was well placed odd how the Diocesan didn't blow his top. Anyhow what does JunO know about Education?
ReplyDeleteProbably the same as she knows about Theology.
DeleteSweet FA!
Caiaphas knows more about intimidation and harassment than Theology.
DeleteTheology??? Tomorrow night's Inauguration of the Merthyr Tydfil Ministry Area. Final Hymn ( of three, chosen by the Ordinary, with no reference to The Director Of Music). One More Step Along The Road We Go. Says it all!!!!
ReplyDeleteGive thanks it isn't to be "Shine Jesus, shine...."
Delete🤣 🤣 🤣
Oh Joy.
DeleteAnother Misery Area.
Just what the diocese of Llandaff needs.
"Oh God what a gathering..."
Delete@Merthyr Organist
DeleteWhat a coincidence.
Following her letter to the editor of the Church Times on December 31st and significant pressure brought to bear by the Archdeacons to withdraw her letter and retract her call for suspension of the Bishop of Llandaff, according to their website, Vicki Burrows and the Garth Misery Area are due to host Caiaphas for their inauguration and licencing service on Tuesday, January 25th.
That promises to be quite a show!
Will a packed house be present from all eight Parishes to support Vicki and watch the fireworks?
Will nobody bother to turn out as a mark of protest against Caiaphas?
Will Martin Shipton and his press photographer show up to snap them all smiling benevolently at each other through clenched jaws and gritted teeth?
What a joyous occasion that should prove to be. 😂😂😂😂
From the Llandaff Diocesan website at https://llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/en/news-and-blog/announcements/
Delete"The Inauguration of the Garth Ministry Area will take place on Tuesday 25th January at 7:30pm in Christ Church, Radyr – this service will also be streamed."
For those of you who can't be bothered to go in person, you'll be able to watch the blood-letting online.
Tally Ho Vicki.
Perhaps Vicki Burrows and all the clergy she imagines are too frightened to attach their signatures to the foot of her letter should come out on strike.
DeleteParalyse the Diocese, refuse to take services, weddings, funerals, baptisms etc until Caiaphas volunteers to step back.
Bring a new meaning to the expression "The Church Militant".
PP perhaps "Make me a channel of your peace" or,"O God our help ..."
ReplyDelete"Fight the good fight" is another option, followed by "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying!
DeleteSeymour
"Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war..."
DeleteExcept nowadays they're all vegans, tree-huggers and LGBTQIA+_pacifists.
Congratulations Ancient Briton.
ReplyDeleteOne predicts your blog will have surpassed the count of 3.5 million views by this time tomorrow morning.
Thanks to Gerwhine's Aga Saga, the Caiaphas bullying scandal and Randy Pandy being a chocolate teapot.
Heigh ho!
@Gabriel
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations Sir.
You hit the nail on the head and your smart money wins.
So Nick Mason, John Pockett et al have been slapped around the chops very publicly with a wet fish by Gerard Elias QC at the streamed Easter Vestry meeting, and now Randy Pandy has done the same to them in the Western Mail.
Hilarious.
But what will the Oompah Loompahs do next?
The bank of telephones in the technology room at Llys Ego will be glowing red hot tonight.
"What do we do next, O dark --Lord?
Caiaphas is laughing at us and we don't like it, we don't like it at all!"
PP. Doesn't the Diocese Conference have some clout to remove, suspend or some other legal principles?
ReplyDeleteDon't be so silly PP.
DeleteCaiaphas has all the clout in Llandaff, you've just seen Randy Pandy say so in the Western Mail.
Which is why the Capon will go - eventually.
The ears in the walls report Gerard Elias QC is beavering away at a "dodgy dossier" for another attempt at seeing off the neutered Cockerel 🐓 crowing from its dunghill.
PP. Thanks Subversive Canon. No wonder the current incumbent crossed the border with that kind of status.
ReplyDeleteOh, what? What have I missed, being very silent. Is the White Elephant of Callaghan Square being silent, or are many Seniors gathering, yes they have, perhaps senior book keepers are taking advice from former Flying Squad members
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, a young Anglican Priest of high regard has left the Diocese of Llandaff to continue his Ministry in the Exeter Diocese. I remember his father well in Cardiff St Germain Fr Rabjohns
ReplyDeleteGood for him and congratulations for having the sense to get out of Llandaff and the Cult in Wales.
DeleteMary Stallard, an unneeded bishop assistant of Bangor! That's me off to The Church.
ReplyDeleteLlandaff didn't need Wilbourne and Bangor doesn't need Stallard.
DeleteWales needs fewer Bishops not more.
The Harries report and recommendations continue to be selectively cherry-picked to suit the Plankers and their agenda.