[Ely Announce] Trumpington Tribunal - Press Release

[Bridget Nichols]

DIOCESE OF ELY

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

To be released Wednesday 23 January 2008

 

Trumpington Tribunal

 


The Bishop of Ely, the Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell, has received the report of the tribunal established under Section 9 of the Incumbents (Vacation of Benefice) Measure 1977 (as amended) in the matter of St Mary and St Michael Trumpington and the Revd Dr Thomas Ambrose.  



The members of the tribunal are "united in being satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that serious pastoral breakdown has occurred in Trumpington parish."  

 

In setting out their recommendations, they state: "All findings of this tribunal are unanimous."

 

They continue: "We recommend that the bishop executes a declaration of avoidance declaring the benefice of Trumpington to be vacant in accordance with section 10 of the 1977 Measure.  We do not consider that the serious pastoral breakdown in Trumpington parish can be remedied if Dr Ambrose remains as the Vicar there."

 

The full text of the 37-page report has been handed in confidence to the legal representatives of the applicants and incumbent who attended this Tribunal.  The Bishop has asked that any representations in respect of the report should be submitted in writing to the Diocesan Registrar within a period of 21 days.  After this time the Bishop will consider the matter and determine what action is to be taken.  

 

No further statement can be made until after this process is completed and the applicants and the incumbent have been asked to treat this matter in confidence until this time.    

 

Canon Owen Spencer-Thomas, 
Bishop's Press Officer 
 
Mobile: 07801 492151 
E-mail: owenst at btinternet.com