"The Parable of the Sheep" by a Save The Parish Cornwall supporter

 Michael Victor’s timely article in The Church Times, with superb accompanying cartoon by Bill Caldwell, exemplifies the dire actions of dioceses across the country. Our only criticism should be that the bruisers outside the door don’t look as threatening enough as in real life. Click here to read Michael Victor's article.

For centuries, the followers of Christ have been known as a flock of sheep, with Jesus the Good Shepherd and ordained clergy acting as His deputies. The analogy is becoming more and more apt as we discover that dioceses across England, led by their bishops and approved by the Archbishop of Canterbury, are behaving more and more like packs of wolves. Wolves, the traditional enemy of sheep,  encircle them, cutting off their escape to their folds - their churches. We should remember that ultimately, sheep are killed and eaten, taken to the abattoir before being devoured. Elderly sheep are easy prey for wolves, which will eat them but prefer the juicy meat of the young.

Here in mostly rural Cornwall, we too are threatened, by the On The Way project which removes ordained clergy from parishes and replaces them with huge clusters of churches with no clergy but lay leaders if any at all. The ex-Bishop of Truro Philip Mounstephen, began the process, handing over the reins to the current acting bishop, Hugh Nelson,  who continues to coerce parishes into accepting the changes by initially crying “No money”. Then, when that is publicly proved to be untrue, simply pushes on, with clergy frightened to speak in protest and PCC’s appalled by what they have done to commit their churches to suicide. The leader of the wolf pack, our bishop, has said “We are not in the business of caring for mediaeval buildings.” No ordained clergy - no shepherd, no congregation - no flock, no church building - no protective fold.

And all the while, spending our money not on shepherds to care for the cure of souls, but on extra wolves for the pack: administrators, advisors, managers, facilitators (here in Cornwall an extra layer of paid clergy as Rural Deans,) clergy not attached to churches, and expenditure on Climate Change ad nauseam. Whilst those in need of the fold, the sheep in the parish, are left without a shepherd to flounder in a bog.

The bishops here have said they do not close churches, churches must decide to close themselves. Poor sheep. If they are stupid enough to break out of their protective fold and wander into the bog, it has been their decision.

Dear Lord Jesus, Son of the Father and Good Shepherd to us all, save us and keep us, this day, now and forever. Amen