Holy wait: Winchester report is pushed back to 2025
NewsThe Bishop of Winchester’s review of his crisis-ridden cathedral is proving unexpectedly thorough. Originally intended to report within three months it has now been extended beyond the end of this year.
The Review Team has interviewed over 45 people including three external musical experts. The majority of these interviews have been conducted face to face during August and September, with follow-up conversations via Zoom where necessary. In addition to the interviews, the Review Team has considered over 140 written submissions which have been followed up as appropriate.
While it was initially felt that a three month deadline for the completion of the report was possible, the level of engagement from interested parties and the need for rigour has meant that the team is only now concluding follow-up interviews, with an expectation of writing their report during November and December.
In accordance with the draft Church Commissioners’ Guidance, the report will be confidential to the Bishop. Once he has received it, it will be necessary for him to take some time to digest its contents before producing conclusions and recommendations for Chapter. The Bishop will also make a summary of his conclusions and recommendations public.
The best way to kick any embarrassing issue into the long grass is to start an official enquiry. By the time the committee of enquiry reports, everyone but they will have forgotten all about the issue, thus mitigating any adverse publicity. See also Grenfell Towers, Hillsborough, the tainted blood scandal and the Post Office scandal, to mention just four.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA1VTG3Z23U
This is very unlikely to be kicked down the road. For one thing, the numbers, as can be seen above. Too many people know too much, and there are too many strands involved for covering up. Any such attempt would likely eradicate any future confidence in the fifth most important diocese in the Church of England, after Canterbury, York, London and Durham.
The issues involved are not solely about Music…
It is important to remain patient, give Bishop Philip an opportunity to see the Inquiry Team’s findings, and investigate further.
The fact that such a huge number have been interviewed, in addition to the massive volume of evidence sent in, is far greater than in other instances, of which I have personal knowledge.
Some very wise, knowledgeable and eminent individuals have put their heads above the proverbial parapet.
You cite four examples that seem to me, an ocean away, to have stayed very much alive.
But I suspect you are right in principle. There are many inquiries called, and we the public probably do forget or at least lose sight of most of them.
Such a delay over this debacle, which has attracted nationwide scrutiny in the severity of questioning the age old issue of clergy v church musicians is a stalling tactic, designed to take the heat off the widely publicised scandal.
The Bishop is clearly worried and needs to play his moves very carefully as the church music world wait with bated breath to see his deliberation and how he deals with the alleged bullying senior clerics in his cathedral. All of this has become a major discussion of interest within all UK churches and Cathedrals, so watch this space…