AFTER a protest wherein a “Canticle of Indignation” was sung during holy communion, all activity of the choir at Bangor Cathedral has been suspended, the Chapter confirmed on Sunday.
A cathedral spokesperson confirmed last week that a consultation on redundancies was under way. Five of eight non-clergy posts are in danger. At the top of the 11 a.m. service on Sunday 31 August, the choir staged a walkout (News, 5 September).
A press release published online by the Chapter on Sunday said that it had met on the Monday following the service to reflect on what had happened.
“This included the choir singing a specially composed and fully inappropriate piece — entitled ‘Canticle of Indignation’ -— whilst members of the congregation were receiving Holy Communion, and the walking out of the choir immediately afterwards whilst the altar party were doing the ablutions. Chapter took the choice to pause all choir activity for an initial period of 1 month, with immediate effect whilst we review what happened and consider appropriate next steps.
“This pause may also provide a chance for dialogue between the Chapter and Choir. In the mean time, please note that Joe Cooper, Director of Music, is currently away from his duties.”
The past week had been “difficult for all of us who’re a part of the mission and ministry of our Cathedral Church here in Bangor”, the statement said.
“Bangor Cathedral is experiencing a major shortfall between expenditure and income. This has far outstripped any increased income, leading to a financial deficit that, if unaddressed, will place pressure on our reserves. . . Whilst the financial situation may be very difficult, it is usually redeemable. But only with urgent motion.”
The projected operational deficit at the top of 2025 was £300,000, putting “an unsustainable stress on reserves, which might result in bankruptcy by the top of 2026”.
The statement highlighted investment within the cathedral’s salaried staffing between 2021 and 2024, during which era positions that had been carried out by volunteers got to paid staff. “Much was achieved and far has been learned,” it said. Staffing — and associated — costs of £321,000 would account for two-thirds of the cathedral’s budget. While the Representative Body would cover non-clergy staff costs of £84,000, this might still leave a shortfall of £120,000. The Chapter was also foregoing the annual grant from Bangor Diocesan Board of Finance — £61,000 — as a way to repay a debt.
“Chapter members are deeply aware that that is an unsettling time,” the statement said. The latest Dean, the Revd Dr Manon Ceridwen James, was “committed to patient listening and reconciliation”, and would take up her duties at the top of next week.
The period of spending highlighted within the statement occurred when the Bangor Diocesan Secretary, Canon Siôn Rhys Evans, was serving as Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer of Bangor Cathedral. He didn’t exercise any ministry on the cathedral from March 2024.
Among the problems raised in a serious-incident report back to the Charity Commission was the expenditure of £418,000 on latest furniture for the cathedral, the majority of the associated fee borne by the DBF, with “inadequate consultation and knowledge”, a bunch of whistle-blowers said. The Dean and Chapter have already agreed to pay back to the DBF funds spent on trips abroad that ought to have been their very own expenses (News, 6 June).
