Premier chief executive dies, aged 63
THE chief executive of Premier Christian Media, Peter Kerridge, died on Saturday, aged 63, after affected by acute leukaemia for greater than a 12 months. The Archbishop of Canterbury was amongst those that paid tribute, describing Kerridge as “a witness to Jesus throughout his life”, whose death was “an enormous loss to Christian broadcasting and more widely, Christian testimony and witness”. The Coptic Orthodox Archbishop Angaelos of London described Kerridge as a “pioneer and champion of electronic and online ministry for many years, and a visionary whose legacy will live to tell the tale to affect and profit many for years to return”.
Archbishop patron of recent Gypsy church group
THE Archbishop of York has change into a patron for the organisation Gypsy Roma and Traveller Friendly Churches. It was established after the General Synod voted in 2019 to support the appointment of chaplains to Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers in every diocese, for church leaders to talk out against racism, and to encourage the making available of land for brand spanking new Gypsy and Traveller sites. Archbishop Cottrell, who introduced the Synod debate, said: “My prayer is that each church becomes a spot where people from these culturally wealthy and godly communities are welcomed.” The chaplain for Durham diocese, the Revd Nicky Chater, who chairs Gypsy Roma Traveller Friendly Churches, said that she was “shocked by the systematic and deeply ingrained racism there’s towards Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. . . It’s vital that the Church challenges this injustice.”
Former Liverpool vicar convicted of kid abuse
A FORMER Vicar of St Peter’s, Woolton, John Roberts, 89, was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court last week of 5 non-recent sexual offences against a boy under the age of 14, and sentenced to an extra 4 years in prison. He is currently serving a nine-year sentence for previous offences. In 2020, Roberts was found guilty of ten counts of indecent and sexual assault (News, 1 January 2021). The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd John Perumbalath, said in an announcement after the conviction on Thursday of last week: “I need to thank all those that have diligently pursued this, and specifically pay tribute to the victims and survivors for his or her courage in coming forward and bringing this matter to justice. . . I hope anyone who has concerns in regards to the past or current behaviour of people or the Church can raise them. I can assure you we’ll listen and act.”
Guildford Cathedral plans scuppered again
PLANS submitted by the Chapter of Guildford Cathedral and its developers to construct 124 latest homes, including 94 flats, on land surrounding the cathedral have been dismissed on appeal. An application for the plans was rejected by Guildford Borough Council in March 2023 (News, 14 April 2023). Last week, a government planning inspectorate dismissed an appeal on the plans. The inspector, Tom Bristow, said that attempting to suit 124 homes on the positioning on Stag Hill, “would have little affinity with the prevailing characteristics of the realm”. Proceeds from the sale of the land were expected to generate about £270,000 per 12 months, he said, but, “Irrespective of the end result of the scheme, the cathedral will proceed to be predominantly reliant on other sources of funding for upkeep.” The Interim Dean, the Ven. Stuart Beake, told the BBC that it was unlikely that the cathedral would give you the option to “operate in the identical way” because it had previously, and that an extra £150,000 was needed annually to cover the shortfall in day-to-day costs. He said: “Whilst naturally dissatisfied by the end result, the cathedral Chapter is set to hold on delivering the mission of the cathedral in the neighborhood.”
Trust crowdfunds to avoid wasting ‘last-chance’ churches
THE National Churches Trust has received a personal of donation of £500,000 towards paying for urgent repairs to 18 historic “last-chance” churches, all of that are in desperate need of funding to remain open. After an appeal, the donation has been matched to £1 million — the primary time that the Trust has raised funds against a personal donation this fashion. A press release this week said that non-public philanthropy was of accelerating importance in church repair, and that “There is a chance to generate more private donations through tax relief or other financial incentives.” The chief executive of the Trust, Claire Walker, said: “Foodbanks, warm spaces, community cafés, and other vital services which might be a lifeline for the community will now be kept open.”
