From the Revd Paul J. Benfield
Sir, — Your report on the debate in General Synod on the Draft Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Measure was inaccurate. The amendment against which I spoke was that which would allow a bishop to revoke the licence of a priest-in-charge when the vacancy comes to an end and the suspension of the right to present an incumbent is lifted. The Synod approved the amendment.
This power would mean that the bishop could remove the priest-in-charge without going through any disciplinary or capability procedures and appoint another priest to that benefice in his place.
I understood that the main reason for introducing common tenure was to improve the security of those who do not hold the freehold, and yet this is another example (introduced at the eleventh hour to overcome “an oversight”) of the many situations where those without freehold will have no more security on common tenure than under the present law.
PAUL J. BENFIELD
St Nicholas Vicarage, High Avenue
Fleetwood FY7 7DJ |
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