Time to put an end to this farce

Sticking together? Bishop Richard Pain (centre) with Archbishop John Davies to his right and Bishop Gregory Cameron, both former college
 chums at the former St Michael's Theological College, Llandaff.    Source: Bishop hat-trick South Wales Argus

Enough is enough. 

February, the month suggested when the Bishop of Monmouth was likely to take up his duties again, has come and gone. Nine months of impasse. Nine months when Anglicans in the diocese of Monmouth have been left with an absent bishop raising questions about the need for six diocesan bishops. 

If Bishop Pain were to be 're-born' in the diocese of Monmouth after his senior clergy have lost confidence in him he would return to office with no moral authority. He should heed advice and retire.

According a Church Times report the bishop is "spoken well of by his flock", unlike the abuse directed by his supporters at those who properly used the established complaints procedure authorised by the Church in Wales.

Claims of smoke without fire make no sense unless intended to rubbish complaints of those who in conscience believe they have a genuine grievance. 

The South Wales Argus reports: Some churches are preparing to withhold parish shares until problems in the Diocese of Monmouth are resolved.

They should have been doing that already in protest against the secularisation of the Church in Wales which has perverted the faith of many for personal satisfaction.

Meanwhile the Church in Wales descends further into obscurity.