Save The Parish - Cornwall

As the Diocese of Truro's housekeeping exercise  On The Way  moves forward, both the Bishop of Truro and the Bishop of St Germans repeat regularly that there is 'no plan'. Deaneries will discern the way forward through prayer and discussion, they say. Both Bishops have repeatedly said this process is 'bottom up' rather than 'top down'. In fact anyone who has been involved in On The Way discussions knows that this is not, in fact, the case.  Leadership teams report regularly to the Bishop of St Germans who 'responds' to suggestions. Another oft cited mantra is that 'there is no plan'. In fact, there is - of course - a plan - a plan for the Church Commissioners' funding to go towards 'Transition funding' and Low Income areas (through the Low Income Community Fund) i.e. the Transforming Mission benefices.  This report published in 2021 by the Archbishop's Council states that clergy stipends are met by parish giving and fees and c...

For people following events in East Wivelshire and the debate over plans for parish re-organisation  the Bishop of St Germans, the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson, has sent out an email this week 'to clarify the reality of the situation'. The East Wivelshire Deanery Synod is tonight (Thursday 30 June 2022) when its On The Way plan for clergy cuts - and inevitable church closures - will be debated. The issue of the extent of diocesan plans in East Wivelshire - and the heated debate over church closures - has been covered by this blog. This week's Private Eye also reports on it. Here Save The Parish Cornwall's analysts take a forensic look at key points in the Bishop's email: THE BISHOP SAID: There is no Diocesan policy in favour of any particular form of local church governance. In case that is not clear enough let me repeat it; there is no Diocesan policy in favour of any particular form of local church governance. WE SAY:  “... no diocesan policy”.  The dismal diocesan track r...

  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.

The weekly local press across Cornwall today carried our Open Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury ahead of his recent visit to Cornwall. Our Save The Parish message continues to hit home..... Bishops: please listen to the people of Cornwall.

Documents written by Archdeacon Paul Bryer clearly citing the advantages of joint Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) click on the links below. An Introduction to Parish Re-organisation by Archdeacon Paul Bryer Advantages of One Parish Frequently asked questions - setting up Joint PCCs Background to parish re-organisation from the C of E

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...

A few eyebrows raised today by a suggestion from the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans, that parish re-organisation is not on the agenda in the Diocese of Truro. In a letter to deanery representatives ahead of a meeting in East Wivelshire on 30 June, the Bishop appears to deliberately downplay the question. Note: Bishop Hugh does not deny that parish re-organisation is in the pipeline, but ducks the question by saying that it cannot be waved through on approval of a deanery plan.  His telling phrase 'where that is needed' speaks volumes. If there are people who believe that the Deanery plan grants authority to close churches or merge PCCs without the further processes required, it would be helpful for them to know that is not the case. As I understand it, having a Deanery plan that has been passed by Synod is taken into account in  future pastoral reorganisation  ... but it is not considered to replace the normal consultation process. We checked that out some time ...