Yes, a parishioner has complained that the tiny table and chairs the vicar has put in for the kids is in breach of ecclesiastical law.
Now I'm no student of ecclesiastical law. But I can't see any evidence that the vicar has bolted the kids' table to a reredos of great historical importance. The chairs aren't screwed onto a credence table. They're just sitting around, freeform and dumb, like, allegedly, certain parishioners of Maulden parish.
As far as I'm aware the vicar hasn't used the kids' table as an altar. She hasn't sacrificed a rabbit to one of the chairs under the misapprehension that it's an old Bedfordshire god. She's just given the kids - whether one or many - somewhere to sit and crayon while the service is going on.
Reverend Lynda Klimas is not allowed to comment on the grievance until the matter is settled. Which is just as well. Because the words "anyone with any critical faculties would never have allowed this half-witted complaint to get any further than the edges of their own skull" would be terribly uncharitable.
Oh, and "Beds on Sunday": you mean "lifelong prohibition" in your headline, not "lifelong probation". And clearly no, she doesn't.
And if you're "Beds on Sunday" - what you doing publishing posts on Thursday? Trade descriptions...
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| Vicar could face "lifelong probation" (Beds on Sunday) |
As is not unusual, the articles to which you refer are inaccurate. The complaint is not at all about the children's furniture being in breach of Ecclesiastical Law, it is about the manner in which they were obtained being in breach of three of the four areas under which a complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure can be considered. The case also has wider implications for the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules. If the Diocese had dealt with the underlying issues at the outset, there would have been no need for this course of action, which was suggested by the Archdeacon of Bedford, to have been taken.
ReplyDeleteBlimey. Admittedly the Beds on Sunday has always been a bit excitable.
DeleteBut are you the Kevin? Or just a Kevin?
DeleteHaving had a very public spat and what appears to be nastiness on the part of a congregation member who doesn't appear to know of Matthew 19: 13/14, as and when the current incumbent moves on it will be interesting to see how many clergy feel called to apply to what might appear, certainly from the press reporting, to be a rather toxic place unwelcoming of new and younger members.
DeleteIf providing a bit of furniture suitable for toddlers really does need a faculty the C of E has lost the plot.
ReplyDeleteSo it's of the table but not in the table? Schrodinger's table and chairs? You can have the table but only if you pay for it with Apple Pay?
ReplyDeleteI'm confused. Either the table is an evil table and you're looking for it's removal or you don't like your vicar and you're looking for her removal, the removal of the children and in a few year's time, the church's removal. Sounds like the table is an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of an unholy war.
CDM for the way they were obtained? Did she steal the table and chairs?
ReplyDeleteJust imagine an embittered rant here - I'm sure you can make it up.
ReplyDelete1st world problems ...
ReplyDeleteThis is just ludicrous. Temporary furniture like this does not need a faculty,and certainly no grounds for a Clergy Disciplinary action. The Vicar has my sincere sympathy having to waste her time dealing with such idiotic complaints.
ReplyDeleteAction under the terms of the CDM seems ludicrous to me. There are 5 grounds for initiating such action:
ReplyDelete(a) doing any act in contravention of the laws ecclesiastical;
(aa) failing to comply with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults);
(b) failing to do any other act required by the laws ecclesiastical;
(c) neglect or inefficiency in the performance of the duties of his office;
(d) conduct unbecoming or inappropriate to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders.
So has she transgressed Ecclesiastical Law? Or the miniature table represents a Safeguarding issue? Neglected other duties whilst obtaining said furniture? I guess not.
I would guess she said to complaining parishioner 'Oh grow up' or words to that effect, which is now the subject of a complaint due to 'conduct unbecoming of a clerk in holy orders'
Ye b'aint from these parts, b'aint ye. Know ye not that plastic tables be the devil's tool? But, soft, what be that mark upon thy lip? Call Brother Hopkins!
ReplyDeleteActually I do be from these parts. Unlike Master Hopkins.
DeleteI'm sure Jesus would agree with Kevin. Absolutely. No question about it. Definitely. Yup.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Jesus would agree with Kevin. Absolutely. No question about it. Definitely. Yup.
ReplyDelete