Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Curse of the Diocese of Gloucester


In today's fast-paced, equal opportunities church, there's nothing that breathes the sweet smell of success to a career clergyperson than being promoted to bishop. Well, unless you're unfortunate enough to become the Bishop of Gloucester.

Puritans Rigging up a Curse

That's because the ancient See of Gloucester has been under a curse since Laud, as Dean, dared to set up altar rails, provoking Puritan fury. 

The curse of Gloucester has apparently been active in recent decades. 



Bishop Michael Perham, a noted progleft shill and enthusiastic supporter of women's ordination retired from the troubled diocese after allegations of "indecent assault" against several young women in the 1980s. However, the case against him was dropped after police found no grounds for further action.



Perham's predecessor, Bishop Peter Ball, also had to leave the cursed See in 1993, after admitting to an act of "gross indecency" with a 19 year man. Ball was arrested this November over allegations of sex abuse with 8 boys during the 1980s and early '90s.



So we have to ask, what fortunate member of the Church of England's Talent Pool will get promoted to the poisoned See?

The bets are on.

LSP

3 comments:

LL said...

Maybe it isn't a curse?

Maybe the problems stem from ordaining perverts to the office of bishop?

Or am I being too simplistic here?

LSP said...

Sometimes simplicity is best. It's obviously a curse.

LL said...

It's like installing the Borgia Pope into a bishop's office and hoping that he won't rape, pillage and plunder the place.

Character counts. It's a lesson that C of E has not learned.