Fighting back against pastoral re-organisation - write to your patron
Radical parish re-organisation is planned in Kerrier, Penwith and East Wivelshire deaneries - and possibly others too. These moves will change the nature of the Church of England in Cornwall forever. It's important to resist pastoral re-organisation schemes as soon as they are published. You could strengthen your position by seeking help from potentially powerful allies with a strong ‘voice’ and influence with the Bishop. Each parish has a patron. In many cases in Cornwall, this is the Bishop. But there are a few parishes with independent patrons. If the patron has not been consulted, it may be grounds for complaint when the schemes are issued. Parishes unhappy with proposals could write a letter something like the below. “Dear [Patrons’ name], I am writing to you as the [e.g. churchwarden] of [name of church]. It is my understanding that you are our church’s patron. I would like to bring to your attention that… [details]. It appears that this proposal may adversely affec