Posted on 10/31/2011 7:55:56 AM PDT by Cardhu
The Dean of St Paul's Cathedral is resigning amid criticism of the handling of protesters camping outside the church. The Rt Rev Graeme Knowles announced his intention to resign from his post after informing the Chapter and Bishop of London on Sunday night.
He has removed himself from operations with immediate effect and plans to submit his resignation to the Queen later on Monday.
In light of his resignation, the Bishop of London has been asked to help with the Occupy London protests outside the cathedral.
In a statement, the Dean said: "The past fortnight has been a testing time for the Chapter and for me personally.
"It has become increasingly clear to me that, as criticism of the cathedral has mounted in the press, media and in public opinion, my position as Dean of St Paul's was becoming untenable.
"In order to give the opportunity for a fresh approach to the complex and vital questions facing St Paul's, I have thought it best to stand down as dean, to allow new leadership to be exercised.
"I do this with great sadness, but I now believe that I am no longer the right person to lead the Chapter of this great cathedral.
"This has not been an easy decision for me to make, at this stage in my ministry, as I have very much enjoyed being at St Paul's as dean."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
This is bizarre. Maybe it’s a British thing, but I don’t see what he was supposed to do. What is St Paul’s being criticized for? Not throwing open the door and letting the thugs in to defecate all over the place?
Rt Rev Graeme Knowles to step down as a result of handling of protest outside cathedral
Canon chancellor Giles Fraser quit on Thursday over the legal action being taken against protesters, which he feared could result in violence"
See Post #3
They’re typical Church of England wusses, evidently. They let themselves be persuaded that it’s not OK to call in the police to keep law and order.
News for them. It’s OK to turn the other cheek if someone attacks you personally, but it’s not OK when they attack your Church or your society.
I don’t know if this is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s influence at work. The guy is a Muzzie-loving creep.
“Let those in the church hierarchy who criticize - or who refuse to defend - step up and handle things their own way ... and good luck with that”
:Nodding in agreement: There are probably more smelly protestors outside that Cathedral on a bad day than there are godly Christians inside on a good one. The Church of England is dying, and its leaders have no one to blame but themselves.
Sigh. I seem to recall that the St Paul’s people (or at least one of them) came out and supported the thugs who tore up London with those riots and looting a few weeks ago. I can’t even begin to imagine why they would have supported them, but I guess it makes this less surprising.
Just so. I was brought up as a High Church Anglican in America, and converted to Catholicism in college.
I will always be grateful for all that the Episcopal Church gave me over the years, and sad to see the growing abuses. As I have been saddened by the abuses in the Catholic Church.
In fact, I have a good friend, who was an Episcopal minister, who was kicked out of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut by his bishop some years ago for refusing to preach that gay activities are good. He wasn’t attacking anyone, just refusing to preach sermons according to the Party Line.
He is now pastor of something called an Evangelical Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Basically high church Episcopalian, but beyond the reach of the bishop. His parish has done very well.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.