Guernsey Press

When did parishioners give permission for cafe-style churches?

I AM SURE many islanders like myself will have realised over several years how the Church of England have in Guernsey claimed they will not pay for the use of our churches because they belong to us parishioners, who, of course, are the mugs who pay for the maintenance of parish churches which the majority of Guernsey residents do not use, with the Church of England playing the part of being short of money.

Published

In the past their income has been over £1m. from the Ecclesiastical Court, over £640,000 donated to them voluntarily as the parish share from their congregations, not forgetting the monies manipulated by them via the parish rates, which for 2018 totals £218,149 passed by our Royal Court without questioning or querying same. Why?

To read in the Guernsey Press (12 July) that the Church of England is spending £27m. on expansions in coastal areas, and that Guernsey is to receive £168,027 from the Diocese of Canterbury is ludicrous. When have all the parishioners who own most of the Churches given permission for our churches to be used as cafe-style churches?

Just how much control over our States of Guernsey has the Church of England? I state once again in Guernsey we are at a dangerous crossroads, and continuously being dominated by the Church of England business does not augur well for the future of our island and its population.

Bearing that in mind, I wish to remind both Sir Richard Collas and Deputy Gavin St Pier to comment on the documentation I forwarded to these gentleman clearly mentioning that Guernsey parishioners cannot be commanded to pay money via the parish rates to the Church of England as we have a human right not to do so. As both of these gentleman have so far remained silent on this matter, am I to assume the European Rights Court statement is both correct and legal in Guernsey?

I would like to take this opportunity to reply to Mr Trevor Hockey’s letter printed (Open Lines, 9 July) in which my name was mentioned by the gentleman concerned.

As far as not wishing to speak to you, sir, that is rubbish. Being true Guernsey I prefer to air my views through the media of the Guernsey Press where my comments cannot be changed by other people to suit themselves. Would Mr Hockey please explain why, if as he states, parishioners do not pay money to the church from parish rates, why to state we do not wish to pay monies listed in the yearly tresor account we have to appear before the Dean of Guernsey or his delegate, if the Church of England here in Guernsey is not involved.

Remember, Mr Hockey, failure to pay this charge could mean prison. This was explained to me by a sitting lady deputy some years ago. Your comments regarding the Court of Human Rights and funding completely baffle me, who mentioned funding for this court? You should be well aware this court has for several years existed and so has the human rights law. You should have read the documentation I sent you, where it clearly states we have a human right to either support or not support any religious order. I would advise an appointment at Specsavers may be beneficial.

E. MAUGER.