Resisting wrong arguments for PCC mergers

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Many thanks to Save The Parish Cornwall's Peter Bellenes for highlighting this very useful link on the national Save The Parish website - Resisting wrong arguments for PCC mergers.

PCC (Parochial Church Council) mergers are frequently suggested in the Bishop of Truro's current On The Way consultation - a cost-cutting programme resulting in losses of clergy jobs and  - almost inevitably - church closures.

Most people on the ground feel that PCC mergers are almost always a bad thing, as they take away local agency and voice - though they might ease the burden for vicars covering multiple parishes.

Hopefully this background information will help those grappling with these issues. PCC mergers are mentioned in the Carnmarth North Deanery plan - and also in East Wivelshire, where there is a significant pushback against it.

"It has been suggested that the loose and inconsistent wording within the East Wivelshire Deanery Plan is such that a vote to support the plan could be interpreted as giving automatic approval to the Deanery to remove all PCCs and replace them with three JCCs," said at PCC member at St Mellion and Pillaton. "This would result in all parishes losing control of the future of their churches, including whether or not they close.

"I believe it is important that PCCs and Deanery Synod members understand this risk. If they vote to support the good parts of this plan they also vote to support the possible dissolution of their PCC, without further consultation."

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