Word of the week – ‘recrudescence’ (17th century): the return of something terrible after a time of reprieve

With thanks to Susie Dent

Smyth Independent Review publication

The independent review led by Keith Makin relating to the John Smyth case review was first announced on 13 August 2019, and our coverage of the subsequent timeline of events is here. On 22 October 2024, the Church of England reported that its publication in full would be on Wednesday 13 November; the National Safeguarding Team (NST) had been asked to factor in the half-term period and the fact some of those impacted would not be around during those weeks. However, a copy of the full report was obtained by Channel 4 News which revealed that it would be covered in the early evening news at 19:00 on 7 November.

The Church of England pre-empted the broadcast and issued a press release, Independent review into Church’s handling of Smyth case published, a copy of the full Review and its 29 Appendices, and a separate statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Shortly after we published the main conclusions of the report here. A statement was issued on behalf of a number of Smyth’s victims and survivors in advance of the programme, and subsequent to its broadcast, there has been extensive comment on the Review in the media and on the internet.

“Safeguarding Sunday”

On 17 September 2024, the Church of England announced:

“Churches across the country are encouraged to mark Safeguarding Sunday on November 17. This important initiative is a chance for congregations to use their regular Sunday service to listen and talk together about how spaces can be created that are safer for everyone and thank those working behind the scenes to make our churches safer for all.”

This annual event is coordinated by the charity Thirtyone:eight to raise awareness of safeguarding issues. Its post Safeguarding Sunday comments:

“Churches across the UK work tirelessly year-round to create safer environments for their communities. From pastors and children’s workers to safeguarding teams, everyone plays a vital role in ensuring people can worship, pray, and fellowship together safely. Protecting the vulnerable and speaking up for their rights is at the heart of our Christian calling (Proverbs 31:8). Yet, we know the Church hasn’t always succeeded in this mission. However, we have the opportunity to change this.

Safeguarding Sunday is an annual campaign run by Thirtyone:eight that allows churches to highlight and give thanks for the safeguarding work within their communities. It’s a chance to remind everyone of the crucial role they play in creating safe, healthy environments. Last year, over 4,000 churches participated, reaching an estimated 240,000 people—each one now more aware, equipped, and empowered to address the risks of abuse.

This year, on Sunday, 17 November 2024, churches from diverse backgrounds and traditions will unite again to emphasise the importance of safeguarding. Safeguarding Sunday offers a moment to reflect on your church’s safeguarding journey, acknowledge past mistakes, and demonstrate a commitment to creating safer cultures for the future.”

This year, reflections prompted by Safeguard Sunday will be particularly challenging for the Church of England.

Churchyard Memorial Regulations

The Ecclesiastical Judges Association has published the Report of its Working Party into Churchyard Memorial Regulations. The report, its annexes, and the two documents that make up the draft template for an Additional Matters Order may be downloaded below:

• Churchyard Memorials Report v4
• Churchyard Memorials Report – Appendix A – Comparative Table of Diocesan Regulations
• Churchyard Memorials Report – Appendices B-F
• Recommended Template – Additional Matters Order
• Recommended Template – Schedule 1.

The Report (pp19-21) and Appendix D include consideration of the Bratton Review – an internal review of the Diocese of Coventry, following the recommendation of the Arches Court in Re St Giles Exhall [2021] EACC 1. A summary of the judgments cited as “non-standard cases” – i.e. those in which chancellors have dealt with petitions that do not comply with the criteria set by the diocesan Churchyard Regulations for the introduction of a memorial without a faculty – will be posted next week.

Unsafe memorials

And while we’re on the subject of memorials, the BBC reports that Glasgow City Council has started putting prominent labels on unsafe gravestones warning that the stone has been inspected and has failed safety standards. According to the report, the labels have sparked anger on social media, where people have been accusing the Council of being disrespectful towards the dead.

But in May 2015, an eight-year-old boy was killed when a headstone in Cardonald’s Craigton Cemetery fell on him. So what was the City Council supposed to do: wait for another fatal accident? Legislation and policy for burial matters in Scotland are devolved to the Scottish Government, which has issued Guidance to assist local authorities meet their obligations to inspect and make safe memorials and headstones in local authority burial grounds.

St Paul’s Truro

Further to the announcement by the Diocese of Truro concerning the proposed demolition of St Paul’s Church, Truro, there was a “drop-in session” at the Old Cathedral School, Truro on November 7, at which representatives from the Church Commissioners were in attendance to hear views and answer questions.

The draft Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Scheme provides for the demolition of the church and for empowering the Truro DBF to dispose of the site; it was triggered by the Commissioners on 21 October 2008 pursuant to the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011, when “the parish church of Saint Paul, in the parish of Saint Paul, Truro in the Diocese of Truro (‘the building’) was declared closed for regular public worship”.

The consultation is open for comment for or against the draft Scheme, and will close on Monday 2 December: see Proposals affecting the closed church of Saint Paul, Truro in the diocese of Truro.

Bishop of Coventry

The CNC meetings for the See of Coventry were held on 26 June and 11/12 September 2024, and on 4 November, it was announced that the King had approved the nomination of the Rt Revd Sophie Jelley, Suffragan Bishop of Doncaster as Bishop of Coventry. Nevertheless, the issue of the simplification of the CNC process remains, and following the recommendations in paragraphs 12 to 14 of paper HB(24)30, work is in progress to bring the proposals to General Synod.

Quick links

• Anurag Deb and Lewis Graham, UK Human Rights Blog: No, legislating to allow euthanasia would not breach the European Convention on Human Rights.

And finally…I

Spain’s Constitutional Court [Tribunal Constitucional] has ruled that the refusal by the Pontifical, Royal, and Venerable Slavery [la Pontificia, Real y Venerable Esclavitud] of the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna, a male Catholic brotherhood, to admit a woman to membership violated the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of her sex and her right to association. The statutes of the Esclavitud, founded in 1545, declare that it is “a religious association of gentlemen [caballeros], established to promote among its members a more perfect Christian life…”

Presumably the caballeros don’t admit mere oiks either. The words of Groucho Marx come to mind.

And finally…II

The Church Times story Cathedral fights to keep hams is not about the culling of am-dram members from the back row of its choir, but the fight to allow Saint-Flour Cathedral, in the Auvergne, to continue having premium hams dry as they hang from beams in its tower (almost 1000m above sea level[*]) — “getting back to the fundamentals of the great abbeys that have always worked with the agricultural world”, according to a former rector who had already installed beehives on the cathedral roof.

A representative of the Architects of the Buildings of France has called for the removal of the hams on safety grounds – often an argument of last resort. His objection is that the grease released from the ham “would deteriorate the edifice and pose safety problems in the event of fire”. The town mayor said ”It’s not clear why DRAC [Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelle] objects to the hams. . . Presumably, it stems from the violation of some government regulation, which are many and varied and sometimes contradictory.”

Post updated; 11 November 2024 at 07:46.

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[*]  For an explanation, see Comments.