Trouble in church (1): Wakefield flares again

The Anglican cathedral which lost its last music director amid allegations of bullying, has suspended three choristers.

A respected parishioner informs slippedisc.com that her grandson, 13, has ‘decided to give up his chorister duties due to victimisation and a toxic culture at Wakefield Cathedral’.

Other sources report:

– A boy has been suspended under investigation and not told what he’s done wrong (something to do with kissing Jesus’s feet on Good Friday, we hear).
– The boy’s carers have now been ‘missed off emails’ and told they are not relevant.
– The choir have mixed the treble lines because of falling numbers and is unable to do services with only boys or only girls.
– More than two thirds of choristers have left. Not one has joined since the start of 2023.
– The Dean, who has overall safeguarding responsibility for all members of the cathedral, is not answering complaints.
– The new Precentor claims to know nothing about suspensions, although pastoral responsibility for choir members falls to her.
– The Chief Operating Officer has left after a year in post.
– The Safeguarding Panel of the Diocese of Leeds are investigating the cathedral’s “safeguarding failures” using their most senior staff.