Damning Report Reveals Culture of Bullying at Crosby Church, by Jamie Bowman, Crosby Herald, January 23, 2014

A DAMNING report has revealed a “culture of bullying” at a Crosby church after a priest was forced out of his job.

A six-month episcopal visitation carried out by Bishop Stephen Lowe, in the wake of reports of difficulties at St Faith’s Church, on Crosby Road North, found “serious failings” among some churchgoers whose behaviour towards Father Simon Tibbs was described by Bishop Stephen as “not befitting of a Christian community”.

Bishop Stephen’s report, which was presented to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) on Monday, highlighted a number of issues at the church, which is described on its website as an “outward-looking inclusive community formed in the liberal Catholic tradition of the Church of England”.

Most serious of these is the revelation of “a culture among a very small number of members of St Faith’s that bullying and the undermining of Simon Tibbs are acceptable as a means to an end – his removal.”

The report describes how problems appeared at St Faith’s soon after Rev Tibbs’ arrival in January last year.

The new priest unearthed a drinking culture at the church which Bishop Simon describes in his report as similar to a “social club” where “members enjoy Anglo- Catholic worship of a traditional kind but have little interest in either Church growth or mission to the community in which they are set.”

After Rev Tibbs enforced a cutting-down of alcohol consumption after church and the replacement of an elderly Sunday school leader, splits appeared among the laity as some members began to call for his departure from St Faith’s, which once counted a future Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie, among its congregation.

Bishop Stephen said: “Simon challenged something about the culture of St Faith’s and upset some key members of the ‘inner circle’ of St Faith’s power.”

The report goes on to describe this “inner circle” as “a group of long- standing members of St Faith’s who have felt that the maintenance of the historical legacy of the church rests with them and any attempt to change it should meet with fierce and organised resistance.

“Simon’s critics clearly believe ‘the Church that trained an Archbishop of Canterbury’ and ‘has the biggest quota in the Deanery’ should remain untouched.”

Bishop Stephen also raises the issue of political differences between the priest and his congregation, stating that: “There is evidence of some political division between a left leaning priest and some small number of very right- wing members whom your visitor found extremely difficult.”

Members are also criticised for non- attendance at the church, failing to support St Faith’s financially and a lack of what Bishop Stephen describes in his report as “spiritual discipline”.

Following the findings of the report, the Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Rev Richard Blackburn, announced that the visitation process would continue for another 18 months and that Rev Susan Lucas will take over from Rev Simon, who continues as minister at St Mary’s, Crosby.

Bishop Richard said: “I’m greatly saddened by the findings of Bishop Stephen’s report, especially his observations of a culture of bullying against a priest in Holy Orders which neither I, or the Diocese of Liverpool, will tolerate.

“It is clear that a new fire needs to be kindled at St Faith’s.

“No longer is it right that old embers continue to be raked over.

“A long, difficult and painful process lies ahead if the failure of the spiritual life of this church is to be properly addressed.

“We must rebuild and we shall rebuild St Faith’s so that it becomes a vibrant, beating heart of mission that makes Christ known in its community and which is committed to a generous, caring, outgoing and inclusive ministry.”

Bishop Richard also affirmed his support for Rev Simon’s work in the parish.

He added: “He is an extremely able priest and I have every belief that he will have a successful, fulfilling ministry.”