Have people seen this? My former church was Baptist/URC in East Anglia so I know the College well, although not the current Principal who has a Church of Scotland rather than URC background.
Presumably, his employer at Cambridge would have first sought the references of his former employers; the diocese of Bangor and in work as Bursar, particularly to his handling of accounts. Now who, I wonder, within the diocese of Bangor was it that wrote what can only be assumed to be a wholly dishonest 'reference'. The same person, perhaps, who having sacked Dean Susan Jones as dean of Bangor, then wrote a reference enabling her to become dean of Liverpool?
Oh don’t be too sure!! Most Cambridge College governing bodies/high tables make Cathedral Chapter dynamics look healthy - utter viper pits. They won’t tolerate excessive dressing up (well not in public at least…). Here’s the really good bit…in many the Bursar is regarded as someone who is a necessary evil - not a ‘genuine’ fellow as not an academic and a tedious necessity (we need money, but it’s SO low grade all this begging for money…), so very much out on a limb, and should they decide he’s a liability, he won’t find a ‘soft touch’ goon in charge he can easily con. His Former Mock Eminence may find he has bitten off significantly more than he can chew. Time alone will tell!
I don't know what has happened to my earlier post.
Just to clarify that Westminster College belongs to the United Reformed Church (and the Cambridge Theological Federation) but isn't part of the University.
This is better. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/9-may/news/uk/visitation-identifies-weak-financial-controls-and-inappropriate-behaviours-at-bangor-cathedral
Regarding Bangor Cathedral, all this malpractice happened on Andy John's watch and due to his direct appointments. The man pleads for Christian forgiveness which is right but he must also face Christian accountability for what HE has done. This isn't the first time he has been implicated in poor behaviour. The man acts like a feudal baron in his fiefdom, not a servant leader leading by example. I don't think he'll ever resign even though it is patenty the right decision. Professor Hughes must be horrified at the state of Bangor Diocese and its Cathedral. If I were him I'd threaten to go if John does not.
Ah yes, the Diocese of Bangor — where meteoric rises require minimal experience and maximum proximity to the Cathedral. Who needs competence when you’ve got connections? It’s less a Church, more a revolving door of hopeful amateurs buzzing around the Cathedral like it's the last drop of nectar on Earth. Or, considering the extracurricular activity, maybe “honeytrap” is closer to the mark. But by all means, keep the full report under wraps — wouldn’t want the truth getting in the way. — PewBangor
Yup: No sooner did Bangor get rid of a 'Walter' posing as a Cardinal, but now the introduction of a newly created 'Apprentice Priest' bestowed on a lady dressed in cassock and sometimes surpliss who claims she deputises for the cathedral canon. Eh? Apprentice Priest? It'll be False Prophets next.
Remember John was Senior Bishop when the Monmouth report (aka the Richard Pain debacle) was published. He was one of the Bishops with Cameron, who partook of the boozy culture of then then bench criticized in that report. Looks like his behaviour, not just with the abuse of alcohol (say no more), set the tone at the cathedral. No lessons were learnt by him clearl...
When will this man realise that he is not fit for office? As archbishop and bishop of the cathedral which is the subject of this report, the buck stops with him. A resignation is the only answer. Otherwise confidence in the hierarchy of the C in W can only fall further if that is at all possible. It's time that the generally useless governing body showed some real courage and made it clear that the parishes of the C in W have had enough and that radical action is needed. Nemesis
@Nemesis I doubt very much of the dozy ranks of the governing body even have the courage to tell their 'servant' Andrew what is thought of him, spoken of him and written about him. He, like Trump, probably thinks the world loves him. It doesn't. Certainly his minions of Bangor Cathedral 'Chapter' have failed in their duty to congregants to inform Andrew that his shelf-life has become become unhinged ... as unhinged as he is.
He should never have accepted the job. Can an Archbishop, in a church claiming catholicity, have two wives both living? Not even mentioning the circumstances around his divorce. Two damning reports now with his own behaviour and decisions in question.
Andy time to do the decent thing. Go with a fullsome mea culpa, people may think better of you 'Your Grace'.
Thank you,AB. Happy Easter to you and yours as well. The Lord has risen!
ReplyDeleteHe has risen indeed. Alleluia!
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/SAcp71mHe34?feature=shared
ReplyDeleteGavin Ashenden speaks out for Easter.
"The King has committed treason".
That sounds about right.
Gavin is absolutely right.
DeleteCharlie boy is a disgrace.
Bewildered
https://youtu.be/MgRUxpbeVi8?feature=shared
DeleteCatholic Unscripted discuss the pitiful legacy of Pope Francis.
Have people seen this? My former church was Baptist/URC in East Anglia so I know the College well, although not the current Principal who has a Church of Scotland rather than URC background.
ReplyDeletehttps://nation.cymru/news/senior-cleric-who-left-the-church-in-wales-under-a-cloud-lands-70k-job/
The former curate-Dean of Bangor Cathedral has landed on his feet. A top bursar post at a Cambridge College no less!
ReplyDeleteDim Diolch
Cambridge must be bloody desperate.
DeleteBewildered
Presumably, his employer at Cambridge would have first sought the references of his former employers; the diocese of Bangor and in work as Bursar, particularly to his handling of accounts. Now who, I wonder, within the diocese of Bangor was it that wrote what can only be assumed to be a wholly dishonest 'reference'. The same person, perhaps, who having sacked Dean Susan Jones as dean of Bangor, then wrote a reference enabling her to become dean of Liverpool?
DeleteOh don’t be too sure!! Most Cambridge College governing bodies/high tables make Cathedral Chapter dynamics look healthy - utter viper pits. They won’t tolerate excessive dressing up (well not in public at least…). Here’s the really good bit…in many the Bursar is regarded as someone who is a necessary evil - not a ‘genuine’ fellow as not an academic and a tedious necessity (we need money, but it’s SO low grade all this begging for money…), so very much out on a limb, and should they decide he’s a liability, he won’t find a ‘soft touch’ goon in charge he can easily con. His Former Mock Eminence may find he has bitten off significantly more than he can chew. Time alone will tell!
DeleteI don't know what has happened to my earlier post.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify that Westminster College belongs to the United Reformed Church (and the Cambridge Theological Federation) but isn't part of the University.
Sorry BT. I found the original in the Junk folder.
DeleteNot a problem - it happens! Thank you.
Deletehttps://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/news-and-events/bangor-cathedral-visitation-report/
ReplyDeleteInteresting
This is better.
Deletehttps://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/9-may/news/uk/visitation-identifies-weak-financial-controls-and-inappropriate-behaviours-at-bangor-cathedral
The chocolate teapot is in it up to his neck.
At the centre of the shambles, as usual.
DeleteRandy Pandy should resign in shame, but he won't since he lacks any.
Bewildered
Regarding Bangor Cathedral, all this malpractice happened on Andy John's watch and due to his direct appointments. The man pleads for Christian forgiveness which is right but he must also face Christian accountability for what HE has done. This isn't the first time he has been implicated in poor behaviour. The man acts like a feudal baron in his fiefdom, not a servant leader leading by example. I don't think he'll ever resign even though it is patenty the right decision. Professor Hughes must be horrified at the state of Bangor Diocese and its Cathedral. If I were him I'd threaten to go if John does not.
ReplyDeleteWhamab
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l0dd9xkj3o.amp
ReplyDeleteIs there anything that fool touches that doesn't turn to ashes or 💩💩💩?
DeleteJust appeared: https://nation.cymru/news/archbishop-faces-backlash-after-publication-of-critical-reports/
ReplyDeleteSo the duplicitous Chocolate Teapot has now been unmasked in all his tawdry sordidness.
DeleteDisgusting creature.
Bewildered
Apparently, BBC Wales tv are reported to be covering the Bangor debacle in today's evening new bulletins, both Welsh and English.
ReplyDeleteIs it too much to hope that the coverage will include al resignation from the chocolate teapot?
DeleteAh yes, the Diocese of Bangor — where meteoric rises require minimal experience and maximum proximity to the Cathedral. Who needs competence when you’ve got connections? It’s less a Church, more a revolving door of hopeful amateurs buzzing around the Cathedral like it's the last drop of nectar on Earth. Or, considering the extracurricular activity, maybe “honeytrap” is closer to the mark. But by all means, keep the full report under wraps — wouldn’t want the truth getting in the way.
ReplyDelete— PewBangor
I entirely agree
DeleteNoHolesBardsey
Liaisons in men's sports centre showers also help, allegedly.
DeleteBewildered
With whom, by whom?
DeleteNoHolesBardsey
@PewBangor.
ReplyDeleteYup: No sooner did Bangor get rid of a 'Walter' posing as a Cardinal, but now the introduction of a newly created 'Apprentice Priest' bestowed on a lady dressed in cassock and sometimes surpliss who claims she deputises for the cathedral canon. Eh? Apprentice Priest? It'll be False Prophets next.
Remember John was Senior Bishop when the Monmouth report (aka the Richard Pain debacle) was published. He was one of the Bishops with Cameron, who partook of the boozy culture of then then bench criticized in that report. Looks like his behaviour, not just with the abuse of alcohol (say no more), set the tone at the cathedral. No lessons were learnt by him clearl...
ReplyDeleteWhamab
The boozy bad language senior clergy culture.
DeletePlus ça change ?
Sadly so.
DeleteNoHolesBardsey
When will this man realise that he is not fit for office? As archbishop and bishop of the cathedral which is the subject of this report, the buck stops with him. A resignation is the only answer. Otherwise confidence in the hierarchy of the C in W can only fall further if that is at all possible. It's time that the generally useless governing body showed some real courage and made it clear that the parishes of the C in W have had enough and that radical action is needed.
DeleteNemesis
@Nemesis
DeleteI doubt very much of the dozy ranks of the governing body even have the courage to tell their 'servant' Andrew what is thought of him, spoken of him and written about him. He, like Trump, probably thinks the world loves him. It doesn't. Certainly his minions of Bangor Cathedral 'Chapter' have failed in their duty to congregants to inform Andrew that his shelf-life has become become unhinged ... as unhinged as he is.
He should never have accepted the job. Can an Archbishop, in a church claiming catholicity, have two wives both living? Not even mentioning the circumstances around his divorce. Two damning reports now with his own behaviour and decisions in question.
ReplyDeleteAndy time to do the decent thing. Go with a fullsome mea culpa, people may think better of you 'Your Grace'.
Whamab
The words Andrew John and decency don't belong in the same sentence.
Delete