St Annes Cathedral

[Guest]

I picked up this message from the old M/B
"It's a pity that the R3 MB is closing when the situation at St Anne's in Belfast seems no nearer to being resolved.
Presumably they will have Advent and Christmas Carol services with their mixed voice choir of volunteers-and in that resonant acoustic it will sound great, so visitors will wonder what all the fuss was about?!"

The Advent Carol service was very badly supported and lasted three quarters of an hour. The choir sing one service on Sundays with a simple introit and anthem with an equally simple unison setting of the Eucharist. The acoustic doesn't hide wrong notes and pitch problems. There have been several letters in the local press and there is a High Court injunction to prevent other cathedral matters being published.
Please remember us in your prayers. I feel dreadfully sorry for the hundreds who come to the Cathedral on Christmas eve, as it is a special service for many of them.

Phil

[ardcarp]

Watch out! The Swedes might get you Phil!

[Y Mab Afradlon]

There is a wonderfull collection of material on Youtube that commends the work that Philip Stopford has accomplished in the city since his appointment, both in the Cathedral and in the wider community. The Dean and Chapter - shame on you for depriving the good people of Belfast from the Anglican Choral tradition that has been fostered over the years in your cathedral and also for depriving the young choristers from the joy of making music in praise to the Lord and being educated by a very professional gentleman. May God guide you to reconsider your foolish decision.

[Oldcrofter]

The Swedes ? Sweden has a very healthy choral tradition, no church disputes that I know of. Why would the Swedes "get" Phil ? I don't get it

[Oldcrofter]

Oh, just heard on the news: a suicide bomber has killed himself in Stockholm. Fortunately, no other deaths, I believe.

Still don't see the link with a dispute in St Anne's Belfast or Phil, but then, I'm a pretty thick Anglo-Swede - bit slow to catch on sometimes !

[jean]

The Swedes ? Sweden has...no church disputes that I know of.

Except for their absolutely disgraceful attempt to sell off the Swedish Seamen's Church in Liverpool:

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/liverpool-special-features/2008/02/26/threatened-church-is-great-advert-for-city-64375-20523091/

(Sorry, that's wildly off topic - but it was a very sore point. I think the congregation have managed to save it.)

[Freddie Campbell]

...Well from what I gathered the problems at St Anne's have nothing to do with Philip Stopford
and everything to do with Church politics alone...

[ardcarp]

Still don't see the link with a dispute in St Anne's Belfast or Phil,

Sorry; it was a rather arcane reference. Let me explain. Firstly, I've nothing against the Swedes...lovely people! Phil referred to the press being gagged by cathedral. The Wiki-leaks boss Julian Assange was arrested because of an extradition request by the Swedish govenrnment for some unrelated misdemeanour...but what a coincidence!

[Oldcrofter]

OK, I think I see. Both the St Anne's affair and the charges which may, or may not, have been brought against Julian Annange seem pretty arcane to me. The Swedish press certainly haven't yet got to the bottom of the two charges against Assange. Will be interesting to see what eventually come out. Don't think the Swedish government has anything to do with it - pretty sure they wouldn't be manipulated by the US govt. to somehow entrap the Wikileaks man - but we'll just have to wait and see.

[Freddie Campbell]

...Yes.It's sad that Cof I does not seem to rise above problems at St Anne's or ChristChurch in Dublin-one would have hoped for better from them...(I am an ex member of CofI)

[Phil]

The C of I can't rise above any problems as they are the major causes of them. The people involved in Belfast are obviously feeling the heat, as they have tried, by letter to the congregation, unsucessfully, to justify the decision made. The Dean is retiring and gave a less than truthful reason for doing so, and the Bishop (I am told) has had a nervous breakdown. There is a court hearing on the 16th but we will have to wait for the judgement. If Sundays singing is repeated again the cathedral will become a laughing stock.

[Magnificat]

They are now being kept good company by Gloucester with their ridiculous CRB checks on their flower ladies.

It never ceases to amaze me how well educated men ,such as cathedral Deans, can make decisions lacking in any common sense.

[Wolsey]

They are now being kept good company by Gloucester with their ridiculous CRB checks on their flower ladies.

The question of who must undergo CRB checks and the circumstances in which they must take place are prescribed by law. They do not occur by whim.

[Freddie Campbell]

...And unless one has DIRECT contact with children you are NOT obliged BY LAW to have CRB!
HOWEVER most Dean &Chapters like all adults(who may be referred to by children)to do this...

[ardcarp]

In case anyone wonders what is going on at St Anne's, here is a link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11009270