From Mr Ian Newton
Sir, - I know nothing of the circumstances in the Lincoln
diocese (News,
28 September); nor do I wish to cast personal aspersions on any
holding posts as diocesan chief executives. I do, however, think
that the diocesan review puts its finger on a most important
point.
In the wider world, the term "chief executive" indicates the
person who leads an organisation and sets its direction. In a
diocese, that has to be the diocesan bishop, who alone can give
spiritual leadership. The widespread change in terminology from
"diocesan secretary" to "chief executive" suggests that lay staff,
crucial though they are, have authority inappropriate in a
Church.
At a practical level, the practice that bishops work from home -
often large homes that they are keen to make good use of - further
removes them, day to day, from the centre of operations.
Both clergy and lay people need to see the diocesan bishop as
the key source of authority. The present arrangement in many
dioceses is rather akin to the bursar's being the chief executive
of a school. The Church needs good management, but it needs
management rooted in spiritual direction and leadership.
IAN NEWTON
The Vicarage, 15 Noyes Avenue
Laxfield
Suffolk IP13 8EB
From Mr Philip Johanson
Sir, - On announcing his forthcoming retirement as Bishop of
Lincoln, Dr John Saxbee said in March 2010: "I believe the diocese
is in good heart." He stood down as diocesan Bishop in January
2011.
In the light of the recently published report from a group set
up in December 2011 was the assessment made by Dr Saxbee
inaccurate, or did things go very wrong during the
vacancy-in-see?
PHILIP JOHANSON
10 Ditton Lodge
8 Stourwood Avenue
Bournemouth
Dorset BH6 3PN