Facing a 'mega benefice'? Contact your patron for help

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Abandoned church in Wales
As radical plans for church restructuring go forward in Cornwall - backed by the Bishop of Truro the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen and the Bishop of St German's the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson- the first 'pastoral re-organisation' schemes are now being published. These are part of On The Way, the Bishops' vision of a radically different Church of England in Cornwall.

If you are at all worried about the 'mega benefices' proposed - e.g. in Kerrier 23 churches are to be brought together under one rural dean - it's important to start making your concerns known. (Click here to read the draft proposals for Kerrier).

The patron of your parish could be an important ally: please think about contacting him or her. Patrons have the power to object. Future generations are likely to look back at these extraordinary plans with confusion and dismay.  Similar plans in Wales have resulted in widespread church closures.

Click here to read Save The Parish's fact sheet on the role of patrons and pastoral re-organisation.  It notes:

  •   Local trustees or an individual with local knowledge may be keen to stress the need for local 
  • Patronage societies may be concerned about changes in churchmanship in a mega benefice
  •  All patrons should be concerned that the evidence shows that mega benefices/parishes cause decline.

 

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