Bishops back track amidst consultation fiasco

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The Bishops of Truro and St Germans emerge red-faced in the latest Diocesan newsletter (published today) after earlier this month shutting down challenges to their controversial On The Way restructuring plans.

The Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen on 9 February 2023 curtly refused a meeting with Save The Parish Cornwall: click here to read the letter written to him by concerned churchgoers.  And here to read a report about his response (the Bishop requested that his letter was not published).

He had tetchily responded to a searching question at a Carnmarth North deanery visit a few days earlier (4 February 2023) by saying that that no - concerned churchgoers should not go to him.  Click here to listen to the question and here to read a transcript.   A report subsequently published on the Diocese of Truro website did not record challenging questions at that meeting. Click here to see how dissent was glossed over.

The penny now seems to have dropped. The paragraphs in today's newsletter effectively acknowledge that consultation - and interaction with church goers - is necessary and essential.  Bishops do have a pastoral duty to listen to churchgoers, parishioners and the wider community.   A back track if ever there was one.



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