A BENCH in a Warwickshire churchyard, which was repainted in rainbow colours in support of the NHS during the pandemic, must be reverted to its original dark brown appearance, the Consistory Court of the diocese of Coventry has ruled.

The bench was gifted to the Church of the Holy Cross by Moreton Morrell Parish Council, in 2002, to honour the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

In June 2021, the PCC of Holy Cross discussed ways to show their appreciation of the NHS during the coronavirus crisis. One suggestion was that the bench should be repainted in rainbow colours — an association with the NHS that arose during national lockdowns. No action was taken, but a second meeting later that month — at which the Priest-in-Charge of the benefice, the Revd Lynda Lilley, was not present — resulted in a churchwarden’s giving permission without seeking a faculty.

This faculty was sought retrospectively by Ms Lilley in May.

Several messages had been received by the church in support of the colours, but letters of objection had also been filed. One said: “It is inappropriate for mourners to be faced with an emotive symbol when respectful neutrality in such sacred surroundings is a reasonable sign of respect.”

Another argued that the rainbow had become a “political symbol”, which the Chancellor, Glyn Samuel, acknowledged in his judgment.

He wrote: “The main point that needs considering is that the churchyard is used by many different people, not all of whom would agree with the sentiment that led to such a brightly-coloured item, with a political element, being given a place of prominence there.”

He also questioned whether the bench would convey the same message of NHS support in ten years. He also said that it was “inappropriate” to alter an item dedicated to the Queen “that will to many be seen to have a political element”.

Refusing the faculty, Mr Samuel concluded: “The bench must be repainted or re-stained back to its original dark colour as soon as possible and in any event by 12 September.”