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York Minster bellringers' sacking was over 'safeguarding' issue York Minster bellringers' sacking was over 'safeguarding' issue
(35 minutes later)
York Minster dismissed its bellringers because one member of the group was regarded as a safeguarding risk, the archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has said. York Minster dismissed 30 volunteer bellringers because one member of the group was regarded as a safeguarding risk, according to a statement delivered by the archbishop of York, John Sentamu.
Other members of the group “consistently challenged” the minster’s governing body, the Chapter of York, on this and other matters, Sentamu said in a statement. Other members of the group “consistently challenged” the minster’s governing body, the Chapter of York, on this and other matters, the statement from York Minster said.
Thirty volunteers were told at a special meeting last Tuesday that bellringing activity at the minster would cease with immediate effect for “health and safety” reasons and that they were dismissed. The volunteers were told at a special meeting last Tuesday that bellringing activity at the minster would cease with immediate effect for “health and safety” reasons and that they were dismissed.
The Chapter of York’s statement, delivered by Sentamu on Monday said: “Earlier this summer it was necessary for the chapter to take action regarding a member of the bellringing community on safeguarding grounds. This came after complex multi-agency activity involving the City of York council, York Diocese safeguarding adviser and the Church of England’s national safeguarding officer.”The Chapter of York’s statement, delivered by Sentamu on Monday said: “Earlier this summer it was necessary for the chapter to take action regarding a member of the bellringing community on safeguarding grounds. This came after complex multi-agency activity involving the City of York council, York Diocese safeguarding adviser and the Church of England’s national safeguarding officer.”
More details soon … The decision to dismiss the bellringers was taken in line with advice from safeguarding professionals on minimising risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults, it added.
“Some members of the York Minster Society of Change Ringers have consistently challenged the chapter’s authority on this and other important matters,” the minster’s statement said.
“Repeated disregard of the chapter’s attempts to fully implement the church’s national policies for safeguarding, health and safety and security meant that decisive action was required.
“This is why the chapter took the decision to disband the bellringing team last week.”
The volunteers were told at last week’s meeting that a paid head bellringer was to be appointed in the new year, and he or she would select a new team. Current volunteers would be able to apply for the positions.
As a result, no bells would be rung at the minster on Remembrance Sunday, Christmas or new year, they were told.
The bellringers and their supporters reacted with anger, accusing the minster of behaving in an “unchristian” manner.
Alice Etherington, a volunteer who launched a petition against the move, accused the chapter of a “vindictive measure” after complaints by the bellringers.
Last year, a spokesperson for the minster said: “[It is] critically important to ensure that there is a consistent approach to health and safety, governance and risk management across all of our volunteer teams. In order to make these changes, we sometimes need to close existing volunteering roles so that we can move forward with the new processes. This is what has happened with our bellringers.”
The Church of England has been embroiled in allegations of sexual abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults for decades, but the number of claims and court cases has mushroomed in recent years.
The way the C of E has handled the issue, and claims of cover-ups by senior church figures, forms a key plank in the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA).
The church has appointed safeguarding teams at a national and diocese level. However, dioceses and cathedrals have considerable autonomy from the national church in all issues.
Ten years ago, the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers objected to new C of E’s child protection policies, which required Criminal Records Bureau checks on the country’s 35,000–40,000 adult ringers.
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, has apologised to the victims of abuse by clergy and church officials and reportedly admitted it was “rampant” in a letter to the mother of three boys who were allegedly abused.