Complaints at BBC religion department
COMPLAINTS about lack of respect, an inappropriate management
style, and bullying behaviour have prompted the media and
entertainment union BECTU to launch an independent survey of staff
at the BBC's Religion and Ethics department in MediaCityUK in
Salford. The findings will be presented to the management later
this month. The department scored below average in several areas of
the 2013 BBC North Survey.
'Mentor bishop' for Yorkshire
A FORMER Bishop of Southwark, Dr Tom Butler, has been appointed
by the Archbishop of York as a "mentor bishop" to give advice to
John Tuckett, who is directing the creation of the new diocese of
West Yorkshire & the Dales (News, 8
November). Dr Butler retired in 2010, and lives in Wakefield.
Bradford diocesan synod has given its consent for him to become
Acting Diocesan Bishop during Bishop Baines's sabbatical, from
February to April, when the new diocese comes into being.
Llandaff choirmaster opposes cuts
PLANS to cut the choir at Llandaff Cathedral (News, 8 November) have
been criticised by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM).
Richard Moorhouse, Organist and Master of the Choristers at
Llandaff, an ISM member, said: "The contribution the professional
choir makes to Cardiff is immense. I pray that our discussions with
Chapter will lead to an outcome that will allow Llandaff to
maintain its reputation for choral music of the highest quality. .
. All options should be considered to help protect this excellent
work." Letters
Final Bible-tweet complete
THE director of worship at King's Church, Durham City, Chris
Juby, has completed a three-year task to tweet the Bible, one
chapter a day (News, 1 March), writes Paul
Wilkinson. He sent his final message last Friday with his
précis of Revelation 22: "The river of life flows from the throne
of God. 'Behold I am coming soon. I am the beginning and the end'.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus!" He started condensing the Bible into
tweets, which have a maximum of 140 characters, in August
2010.
Cathedral-climbers chastised
A POLICE helicopter and two fire crews had to rescue four Durham
University students after a late-night climbing escapade went
wrong, and they became stranded on the roof of Durham Cathedral's
deanery, writes Paul Wilkinson. The Dean, the
Very Revd Michael Sadgrove, said that he was concerned that the
cathedral had been treated with disrespect: "What most worries me
is the reckless disregard the students had, not only for their own
lives, but for others', in particular colleagues here at the
cathedral, and members of the emergency-response team."
Church-magazine award seeks entries
THE Association for Church Editors has launched its Magazine
Awards for 2014. The awards focus on a different type of magazine
each year, and this year it is for A5 magazines that include colour
printing, are produced not fewer than four times a year, and which
have a print run of not fewer than 50 copies. The closing date for
entries is 7 February 2014. Entries should be sent to: John Farrow,
Hamilton House, East Common, Harpenden, Herts AL5 1DA. Email
questions to john.farrow@rushcliff.com