From Canon Ian Gaskell
Sir, - Perhaps I might be able to
assist Deidre Morris (
Letters, 21 September) in her quest to identify the problems of
West Yorkshire to which the chairman of the Dioceses Commission has
quite correctly alluded (
News, 14 September)?
Such problems have been extensively
and copiously highlighted in the consultations and reports of the
Dioceses Commission, and particularly in its Review Report No. 2.
Wakefield diocesan synod has at least twice considered these
reports.
Essentially, the problem for all the
dioceses in West Yorkshire is one of medium- to long-term
sustainability. The background of reform comes from a combination
of the reluctance of the Church Commissioners simply to continue
funding expensive structures, coupled with the ability of
congregations to pay, given the economic landscape, both nationally
and, more especially, locally.
In Wakefield, the comparatively low
parish-share collection rate and ever increasing financial demands
- for example, in respect of pension liabilities - are issues that
should be reported to Wakefield diocesan synod annually. Indeed,
Wakefield's contemporary fragile financial landscape has led the
Commission to conclude: "We do not believe that such a level of
deficit is sustainable."
Also, here in Yorkshire, the existence
of five costly administrative centres within 35 miles of each other
raises the question not only of sustainability, but also
justifiability, given that communication and collaboration are much
easier than they were in the 19th century, when these dioceses were
created.
The creation of a metropolitan county
and metropolitan districts more than 40 years ago seems to have
passed us by, as we cling nostalgically to the wreckage of the
Ridings, and an era when Wakefield was the titular capital of one
such Riding.
I am embarrassed to say that Wakefield
diocesan synod has not exactly covered itself in glory in these
matters, after, first, its decisions in April 2011 to welcome the
idea of Wakefield's being the epicentre of any new structure, and
then, just a year later, to demand the status quo, when the
prospect of the hub of Wakefield didn't appear to float anyone's
muesli.
The chairman of the Dioceses
Commission, with great integrity, merely reflects the long,
sensitive, painstaking, and hard work so far undertaken in
Yorkshire, along with the outstanding willingness and patience of
partner dioceses and staff, to consider what the future could
possibly be.
Finance is not the arbiter of policy
here. The Commission faithfully works to a brief given to it by the
House of Bishops, who, presciently, and, yes, prophetically,
realise that reform of the Church of England will mean creating a
sharper, leaner, and mission-focused Church. The Bishops, with many
of us committed to mission, realise that, if that process of reform
does not work here in Yorkshire, it is unlikely to work
anywhere.
IAN GASKELL
St James's Vicarage, 21 Stoney Lane, Chapelthorpe
Wakefield WF4 3JN