Charlie P

Priest in the Church of England. Archdeacon of Bath, serving the churches across the northern parts of Somerset. @BathWells @churchofengland

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@MadsDavies We still await the promised Govt guidance for faith buildings

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@MadsDavies In our diocese the DBE recommends not to use it and most (maybe all) schools don't. I think that is quite common across the C of E now & The Times maybe out of touch with the reality (not for the first time).

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

As always, the problem is "bureaucracy" and the solution is a massive top-down reorganisation.

[Madeleine Davies @MadsDavies]

I looked a new report from two professors, Robin Gill & John Craven, which says that the C of E is headed for "financial disaster" and recommends "ruthless" action including a reduction in the number of dioceses and diocesan bishops to 30
https://t.co/QGfQcy4jSy

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@thevicarswife @richardhuss @chriskilgour I mean, anyone can suggest a building to be listed. But if it is who you suspect, I can see the problem. A potential conflict of interest, as someone else said.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@thevicarswife @chriskilgour Btw listing does not actually prevent reordering, especially only G2. The DAC should help you with that.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@MadsDavies Church Times content looking very similar in 1972 to 2026

[Westminster Abbey @wabbey]

In the 16th century, composer Thomas Tallis set five verses of the Biblical book of Lamentations to music. Delve into the world of Elizabethan England and the time of extraordinary religious and cultural change in which Tallis was working, and take a behind-the-scenes look at our recording of this musical masterpiece in the Abbey⤵️

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

Hmm, yes ... no, wait -
"refuses a salary". Tick!

[Adrian Warnock @adrianwarnock]

10 reasons your church would reject the Apostle Paul
— and why that says more about us than him:
Violent past✔️
Jailed many times✔️
Chronically ill✔️
Single (no First Lady)✔️
Refuses a salary✔️
Won’t commit long-term✔️
Be honest: would YOUR church shortlist him?
POLL in reply👇

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@MadsDavies I'm interested in your example because a sole patron is within their rights to behave like this, but a bishop could be equally awkward and refuse to license their candidate.
It's in everyone's interests to work together.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@MadsDavies 99% positive experiences, just occasional experiences with "societies" trying to flex their muscles.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@WalkerMarcus Well done. I suspect just a small victory in a battle that will be hard fought. I notice they managed to kick the redistribution of funds off the agenda.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@MadsDavies Yes and Mr Nye's response to that motion shows how hard they will fight to keep the power.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

Absolutely feeble argument. Given the huge number of strings attached to SDF and now DIP funding, ludicrous to suggest that the Commissioners could not place stricter conditions on LINC.

[Madeleine Davies @MadsDavies]

Asked if a "big stick" can't be deployed, chair of Archbishops Council's finance committee: “I know everyone feels that there is this huge weight of the centre of the Church imposing its will across the Church. We have no power at all. I cannot require a diocese to do x y or z.”

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

It would be a relatively simple piece of work for the Commissioners to identify the (say) 5% poorest parishes nationally and then say "we will fund a stipend in each of these". Dioceses would not be unhappy with that.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

@MadsDavies "gosh I have no power" is a line that has worn very thin, especially from the national church which has deployed financial power so overtly.

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

Visiting Long Ashton benefice today, starting here at Barrow Gurney, complete with evidence of @VicarOnAVespa

[Eleanor Parker @ClerkofOxford]

Today is Childermas, the feast of the Holy Innocents, on the fourth day of Christmas. It's a fitting day for the Coventry Carol and other medieval lullaby-laments, which give voice to the grief that lies near the heart of the Christmas season https://t.co/KYr5ltYAe2

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

Holy Trinity, Coleford. Pretty cold up here on the edge of the Mendips, but warmth inside!

[Charlie P @CharliePeer]

Glad to see this said out loud by independent voices. Lots of scrutiny (rightly) on bishops, but little pushback yet on "when is telling the police not telling the police?".

[Madeleine Davies @MadsDavies]

‘John Smyth’s abuse was properly referred to the police by the Church of England in 2013, retired senior police officers have told the Church Times.’
A report by my colleague Francis today

https://t.co/qrHTi6vfF1

[Richard Bastable @rmbastable]

CLERGY!
I’m just 28 names away from an amazing milestone for the assisted suicide letter. Have you signed it yet? Do you have networks you could share it in for more signatures? Publication is due within a week.
DM me for more information.