A Letter to the Diocese from the Bishop concerning media reports
On the Feast of the Baptism of Christ
A Letter to the Diocese from the Bishop concerning media reports
On Saturday 9 January The Times newspaper published two articles relating to St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Aberdeen. It has been very disappointing indeed to see stories appear in print and on-line which are full of factual errors, inaccuracies and supposition. The reputational damage here for St Andrew’s, for the Bishop and Diocese, and for the Scottish Episcopal Church is considerable.
Although there is much that I am not able to comment on right now there are some matters about which I need to reassure you.
Firstly, contrary to what was been reported in The Times newspaper yesterday, I am not the subject of any investigation in matters affecting the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney.
The investigation referred to in the Times report is a local one, instigated and instructed by the Trustees of St Andrew’s Cathedral, “to investigate and provide potential solutions to the current issues surrounding the Director of Music, and subsequent breakdown in working relationships”.
The Scottish Episcopal Church issued a statement to The Times on Thursday 7th January prior to the publication of the articles which said:
“A process has been in place since October 2020 to resolve difficulties over provision of music at St Mary’s pro [acting] cathedral in Aberdeen, and that process has led to the appointment by the Trustees of St Andrew’s Cathedral of an independent human resources company to investigate and provide potential solutions to the current issues surrounding the Director of Music, and subsequent breakdown in working relationships. It would be inappropriate for the SEC or any party to make public comment while that independent investigation is taking place.”
The Times ignored this statement and went ahead with publication on Saturday 9th January.
Secondly, the congregation of St Andrew’s is not considering leaving the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Thirdly, the status of the cathedral buildings is as I have previously communicated to you.
At the end of May the St Andrew’s Trustees unanimously agreed to close the buildings temporarily because these are now in an unsafe state, and so unfit for purpose. The Diocese was informed that closure was imminent at the Synod in February. No decision has been made concerning the future of the buildings.
The contents of the buildings have been listed in an inventory and put into safe storage. The Trustees are continuing to care for the buildings, to limit further deterioration during closure. In the months to come a proper assessment of the state of the buildings will take place, which will enable the Trustees to make informed decisions about what might be possible for the future. As decisions are made, the Diocese will be informed.
In response to the media reports
It is extremely disappointing to me that these articles concerning a church in our diocese appeared in the press and media. When such damage is done to reputations the whole diocese is affected, as we are one body. As St Paul writes:
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it;
if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.
1 Cor 12:26
On this Feast of the Baptism of Christ, we have heard again the words of the Father to the Son, as the Spirit descended upon him in the waters of baptism:
You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.
Mark 1:11
As we remember Christ’s baptism, we are mindful of our own. We are all the beloved of God, one with Christ. For this reason we treat every member of the Body of Christ with respect, knowing that each is loved by God. In all our speech and behaviour we should treat each other with love and respect.
My prayer is that we will hold this imperative before us as we seek to love God and our neighbour as we continue to serve as Christ’s Church through this pandemic. Please make this your prayer as well.
Grace and peace to you all
+Anne