Pastoral breakdown

At 7pm this evening, he returned home, switched on his computer and discovered that the whole world knew what his tribunal had decided, and large parts of it had known before he did. His distress can be imagined. Needless to say, he plans to contest it.’The Church must get its act together on the employment rights and the treatment of clergy,’ he said. ‘This case will concentrate the mind of General Synod when it debates Clergy Conditions of Service next month.’What distresses him most is the totally inadequate pastoral care he says he has received. ‘I have had no help from the bishop of the diocese. When I wrote and asked for help, he ignored me. I was on sick leave for seven months and neither he nor the Archdeacon nor anyone else visited me. I was even refused the proper help I should have received from a member of the bishop’s team. The Church needs to learn how to treat people properly and pastorally and with real respect for employment law. This law has to apply to clergy of the Church of England, and bishops can’t just think they are above the law.’

Ruth Glenhill -Times Online Blog – Ground control to Father Tom: You’re Fired.

I can’t imagine his distress, I absolutely cannot. The Anglican Church has a lot of rules of governance, and when a minister and his board don’t get along, this tribunal is just about the last step.

Rev. Tom Ambrose has a Parish Council Committee with a collective case of oppositional defiance disorder – the fact this man has not received any pastoral support from his church superiors he serves with  is appalling.
It also appears from comments from church members that when positions on the council came up, people weren’t stepping in and serving.  Basically the same crew has been running the place and have become quite comfortable with their way of doing things.

His bishop, or a  representative didn’t bother to show up to this tribunal.
Instead the Bishop’s  office issued a press release about the decision country wide  without telling the vicar.
The final report (which will be 37 pages) can’t be released until the appeal process is completed. There were 97 accusations. 
Costs around the tribunal are about  150 thousand pounds.
I am not alone in noting that is not money well spent.

When a church dispute reaches this level the vicar/minister/priest is free to resign. Ambrose chose not too, and is going to appeal this decision.

On one hand there is recourse and procedure (polity), this isn’t a case of mob rule or leadership tyranny.  On the other hand,  lack of leadership from the higher ups is glaring. What is curiously lacking is any mention of resources available to this parish and it’s vicar.
There are accusations flying, rumours, emotions, accusations and what is going to be a split church. (if it isn’t already) 
There is room in The Anglican Church for the Parish Council ( governing church members) to be fired. 
Sorting out the he said/he said/she said battles that reach this stage is locking the barn door after the horse is gone. 
The church’s squabbles going  public becomes a no win and I don’t understand why this bishop was a) so absent and b) free to throw this out into the public without respect for the procedure his office insists every one else follow.

This tribunal is rare,  the last one was 10 years ago. Ambrose has been the Vicar of St Mary and St Michael in Trumpington since 1999.  The Bishop of Ely, the Rt Rev Anthony Russell can declare the vicar’s position vacant, Ambrose has three weeks to let his  superior know if he’s appealing or quitting.
The Bishop has  latitude,  ranging from an official scolding to firing. No matter what happens it is apparent Ambrose feels abandoned by his peers.

The Daily Mail (gossip broadsheet) - reading church council members complain you’d think Ambrose was Satan or a raving lunatic. (notice Dr. Ambrose isn’t quoted)

Church members and their ministers don’t do well at conflict resolution and anger management. Church can be a cult of nice with all kinds of unresolved communication bubbling under the surface.  Minor becomes major.  Priests and ministers get stretched too thin (self management skills and anger management aren’t taught in seminary) and unholy rows over the loo, and tree limbs wind up in tribunal and splashed into the media. 
Lawyers get paid,  bishops carry on as usual and wounded people are left behind.
I pity the person who will  be asked to take on this church.

Ambrose should not have had to find out the tribunal decision the way he has.

Church website