Save The Parish - Cornwall

You may be interested to know that Leicester diocese is presently putting forward the first whole-diocese reorganisation scheme. The idea is that each and every parish in the diocese should be gathered into a large grouping, overseen by an ‘Oversight Minister’. Despite past denials from the top, such schemes provide clear evidence that the proven CofE parish system, as we know it, is being ended. Other dioceses may be achieving the same result differently (for example by allowing current appointments to end without appointing new parish priests). A ten-year plan noted by the Truro Diocesan Synod on Saturday plans for 55 Oversight Ministers across the diocese. We believe this to herald a pan-diocese plan for a complete change of style of ministry. Truro's Bishops have already confirmed that two of Cornwall's 12 deaneries will see new patterns of ministry with stipendiary clergy leading teams of ordained and lay people over areas that will include more than ten churches - Ke...

As the Bishops of Truro and St Germans prepare for St Austell, the latest stop in their On The Way 'consultation' road show , Save The Parish has published a new paper on the potentially catastrophic effects of proposed 'mega parishes' and pastoral reorganisation. ‘Problems with Megaparishes” was written by two ordained academics, and exposes some fresh angles. Click here to read. Huge benefices are being proposed under the Bishops' On The Way plans in Cornwall: in Kerrier, for example, 23 parishes are being brought together under one rural dean. The Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen and the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson will be meeting churchgoers in St Austell from 4-6pm this afternoon - just as most of the nation will be warming up TVs to watch England's rugby match against Ireland in the Six Nations Championship at Murrayfield. The Bishops' tour of Cornish deaneries in this supposed consultation exercise has curiously been timed on Saturday afternoons during the Six Nati...

  The |Bishops of Truro and St Germans faced further challenges last night at the latest stop of their slickly choreographed On The Way roadshow. The Bishops, visiting deaneries split by divisive On The Way plans, are proposing an end to priests in parishes in the Diocese of Truro. At St James's Church, Torpoint, in East Wivelshire deanery, both Bishops were presented with concerns voiced at previous On The Way deanery visits. However  - as at their previous roadshow stops - the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen and the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson carefully manipulated proceedings to evade dissent - ensuring the evening was weighted towards their contributions - and minimal time given to questions. There were 80-90 people at St James's last night, but many others were unable to attend. The meeting was poorly advertised and puzzlingly held from 5-7pm on a Saturday afternoon during the Six Nations rugby tournament - an impossible time for sports fans, young families and others with weekend comm...

On The Way deanery plan summaries have now been published on the Diocese of Truro website and are condensed (to the point that they hardly make sense in some cases) - https://trurodiocese.org.uk/resources/next-steps-on-the-way/fruitful-sustainable/deanery-plans/ They appeared at the start of the year, as both diocesan bishops started on a round of deanery visits to drum up support for these controversial plans. And as they tour the county with a carefully rehearsed roadshow, growing unease - and dissent - is being voiced. These visits are being presented in a light-hearted vein - almost as social events - but are naturally being used as part of the ‘consultation’ involved in On the Way plans.   If you are concerned about pastoral re-organisation: this is a chance to speak out before the schemes are published.  It is important to record dissent at every stage.   The diocese is choosing to ignore growing dissent. The Bishop of Truro has refused to meet campaign...

  Very good to see this story in the latest issue of Private Eye about the Diocese of Truro's On The Way plan for clergy cuts - and eventually church closures and sales.

Like the walrus, the carpenter and the unsuspecting oysters... The Revd Peter C Bellenes yesterday wrote an open letter to deanery representatives in East Wivelshire , who face a crucial vote over their On The Way plan at the end of the month.  He stressed  how vitally important it was that they should listen to  parishioners' concerns - and fight to save their parishes and heritage.  Click here for a guide to arguing against parish re-organisations , published by Save The Parish .     Today he follows up with a further letter, pushing back at a suggestion from the Bishop of St Germans  that parish re-organisations were way down the diocesan agenda.  Dear Deanery representatives East Wivelshire,  You have received an email including a message from the Bishop of St Germans trying to allay your concerns over single PCCs etc.   The b ishop is, I believe, being rather disingenuous . I am attaching documents circulated by the Archdeacon of C...

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 in...

Click here to read about  a key meeting to discuss East Wivelshire Deanery On The Way plan on 30 June 2022.   Click here to view the Deanery Plan. Click here to view a letter from the Bishops of Truro and the Bishop of St Germans, published alongside the plan.

Several important Deanery Synod meetings are coming up - when plans for the Diocese's draconian cost-cutting exercise On The Way will be discussed. These meetings are open to the public, and people are encouraged to ask questions. Both the Bishops of Truro and St Germans have said they are keen to hear the views of everyone - not just the 'leadership teams' involved. We will publish further dates and details about these meetings as we learn more. Please do get in touch via the Contact Form on the left to let us know of any other important meetings. Key dates Carnmarth North (including Camborne Cluster) On The Way consultation and plan 16/6 Deanery Plan to Deanery Synod Carnmarth South (including Mabe, Ponsanooth – and Falmouth) On The Way consultation and plan 17/5 ‘Leadership team’ meeting and plan goes to Episcopal College 14/6 Leadership team meets to discuss Bishops’ response 17/6 Final draft to Deanery Synod 20/6 and 1/7 CCs to take indicative votes 21/7 Deanery Synod...