Really Bishop? Key documents from Archdeacon Paul Bryer on parish re-organisation

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A few eyebrows raised today by a suggestion from the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans, that parish re-organisation is not on the agenda in the Diocese of Truro. In a letter to deanery representatives ahead of a meeting in East Wivelshire on 30 June, the Bishop appears to deliberately downplay the question.

Note: Bishop Hugh does not deny that parish re-organisation is in the pipeline, but ducks the question by saying that it cannot be waved through on approval of a deanery plan.  His telling phrase 'where that is needed' speaks volumes.

If there are people who believe that the Deanery plan grants authority to close churches or merge PCCs without the further processes required, it would be helpful for them to know that is not the case. As I understand it, having a Deanery plan that has been passed by Synod is taken into account in future pastoral reorganisation ... but it is not considered to replace the normal consultation process. We checked that out some time ago.

We have a clear process in place for pastoral re-organisation, where that is needed, once a Deanery plan is approved, which follows all the proper processes and is separate to On the Way. As [Bishop] Philip says, the point of the Deanery plan is to describe a vision and a culture that the Deanery believes it has discerned, and to outline a plan for achieving it, which may include changes to patterns of ministry, governance, use of buildings etc – in itself it doesn’t change anything.


 For anyone who doubts that there are Diocesan plans for extensive parish re-organisation in Cornwall - please click on the links below to read recently circulated papers written by Archdeacon Paul Bryer. The Archdeacon has drawn up several documents over a period of months highlighting what he believes are the advantages of  Parochial Church Council (PCC) mergers and parish re-organisation.

Such moves have been strongly resisted by many congregations elsewhere in the country, who believe they deprive local communities of agency and voice.

An Introduction to Parish Re-organisation by Archdeacon Paul Bryer

Advantages of One Parish

Frequently asked questions - setting up Joint PCCs

Background to parish re-organisation from the C of E  


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