Bishop of Norwich Directs Vicar of Wymondham and Spooner Row to Apologise to Congregation
Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, has directed the Vicar of Wymondham and Spooner Row to apologise to her congregation after the conclusion of a Visitation to the parish commissioned by the Bishop.
The results of the Visitation and the bishop’s seven pages of directives have been published on the diocesan website. He openly rebuked both the Vicar and Churchwardens.
According to the bishop:
“Whenever there are tensions within a Christian community there are people who are hurt and the polarisation of views can easily occur. Sadly, the way that Wymondham Abbey and Spooner Row has been led by the Vicar and Churchwardens has not built bridges, nor fostered confidence from a wide range of people. My earnest hope and prayer is that the publication of these directions will enable the whole community to move ahead with renewed hope, as together we seek to live the Gospel. I look forward to watching closely how the directions are followed through.”
According to the report, some of the friction came as a result of the replacement of an older vicarage with a more modern building. Additionally, the report also said the benefice did not pay any parish share in 2020 or 2021.
