Safety first at Peterborough tomb

CATHERINE of Aragon’s tomb, in Peterborough Cathedral, has been roped off from visitors because of falling plasterwork caused by excessive temperatures during the recent heatwave. A cathedral spokesperson told Peterborough Today that the works shouldn’t be “too costly”. The Chapter hope to reopen the area “soon”.

CCLA to become part of Jupiter

THE investment firm CCLA is to be bought by Jupiter Fund Management, it was announced on Monday. The CCLA manages funds on behalf of the Church of England, charities, and local authorities. Andy Brookes, who chairs the Central Board of Finance Funds Trustee Ltd, said: “We are confident that joining Jupiter will enable CCLA to offer an even better service to Church Charities to support them in their mission.” The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

New leader for the Church Mission Society

THE new chief executive of the Church Mission Society (CMS) is to be Andy Roberts, the society’s director of mission since 2021 and a former CMS mission partner. He founded the children’s charity ReVive International, in Brazil, where he lived for most of his life. He said: “My passion is to see mission shaped by deep listening, courageous innovation, and local leadership.” He will take up post on 1 August, and succeeds Alastair Bateman, who held the position from May 2019.

Snow praises congregations for support of families

THE Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, has issued a statement after the publication of government statistics on families affected by the two-child benefit limit. “Behind these figures are thousands upon thousands of stories — stories of hardship and anxiety, but also of resilience. I am proud that so many churches are part of these stories,” he wrote last week.

Cleric pleads guilty to sexual assault

THE Revd Robert Price Weldon, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Folkestone, since 2016, has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on a woman aged over 16 on 30 October 2024. He appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on 8 July, and will be sentenced on 2 September. In a statement, the diocese of Canterbury said that “he was suspended following an arrest in December 2024”, and that “pastoral care has been offered to all those concerned, and the Diocese has kept in close contact with Kent Police throughout.”

Interim Dean of Carlisle announced

THE Revd Michael Everitt, Canon Pastor of Durham Cathedral since 2019, is to be the Interim Dean of Carlisle from 4 August, after the Very Revd Jonathan Brewster’s resignation (News, 11 July). Canon Everitt was ordained priest in 1993, and served his title in Blackburn diocese. He held posts in South Africa, before returning to Blackburn diocese in 1998, where he served in parish ministry as Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands, and as Archdeacon of Lancaster from 2011 to 2019. He said: “Since being ordained 33 years ago, I have worn the Carlisle Cross around my neck and that same year I was married at Carlisle Cathedral. It is a place and a community very dear to my heart and to be part of it is both humbling and exciting.”

Excavation begins for mass infant-burial site

A TEAM including forensic archaeologists has begun excavating an unmarked burial site in the hope of identifying 796 babies and young children who died at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway. The process, which started on Monday, comes after research by a local historian, Catherine Corless, indicated that babies and young children were buried in a sewage system between 1925 and 1961. The process is expected to take two years.

Government to amend Gift Aid rules

THE Government has confirmed that it will amend Gift Aid legislation because of implications of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) 2024, it was announced last week. In response to a written question from the Conservative MP for Daventry, Stuart Andrew, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, said: “The Government will amend existing Gift Aid legislation before the DMCCA comes into force so that charities can continue to claim Gift Aid while complying with new consumer protections.”