Is the church in Jersey paying up the £200k?
THERE was an editorial in the Guernsey Press earlier this year, which had as its heading, 'Reason for the church split is troubling'. Since then, other comments have been aired and recently our minister read out at morning service a statement from the Dean of Guernsey. This neither explained in a simple and straightforward way what has caused this withdrawal from Winchester Diocese, nor why Guernsey has chosen to follow a course set by a member of the clergy in Jersey.
The recent agreement concerning oversight by the Bishop of Dover refers in one clause to minimisation of expense for Winchester Diocese, but later mentions that the parish share will go to Canterbury. Irrespective of that, may the public and church members assume that as the church in Jersey initiated this dispute, it will meet, or has met already, the cost of £200,000 quoted by the Guernsey Press? Are the weekly collections in the parishes to be used to meet these costs?
There may be others who share the view that what happened in Jersey to cause this dispute has not been explained in straightforward and simple terms to those who look up and are not fed with information. What mistakes or errors were made? Does the church in Jersey remain responsible for the welfare of the vulnerable young woman? Also, as there is a dispute that would have appeared to have incurred costs so far of £200,000 and is more than likely to go on for another year or two, might there not be two sides of the argument? Much more clarification is surely required.
Name and address withheld.
Editor's footnote: The Dean of Guernsey was invited to comment but did not do so.
