Report of the Independent Reviewer for 2015

Posted on the 1st Apr 2016


Forward in Faith welcomes the publication of Sir Philip Mawer’s first annual report. The fact that during 2015 no grievances were submitted by PCCs and only two concerns were submitted by others is encouraging.

 

We welcome the positive developments in the parish of All Saints, Cheltenham, which Sir Philip records. With regard to ministry in team benefices in general, we are grateful for Sir Philip’s confirmation, in response to a request that we made, that it is legally possible for a licence to qualify the scope of the ministry of a member of the team other than the Team Rector.

 

As Sir Philip reports, in September 2015 he invited comments on whether it would be worthwhile to set up a forum in which those of differing convictions could discuss what “mutual flourishing” means. Forward in Faith replied welcoming the proposal, expressing willingness to nominate representatives to participate in such a forum, and suggesting that it would be sensible to begin with a one-off exploratory discussion, involving an overnight stay in a neutral venue, with clearly set-out aims and parameters. We note Sir Philip’s conclusion, in the light of the replies he received, that “more time is required to assess the impact of the new arrangements in dioceses before the need for and shape of any wider forum for discussion can best be assessed”. We reiterate our willingness to participate in such a forum.

 



 

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