This page contains, or links to, all the statements issued by self-described UK-based evangelical organisations relating to the appointment of Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans.
Jeffrey John
Appointment - Anglican Mainstream Response
17th April 2004
The appointment of deans is the prerogative of the Prime Minister on the advice of his appointments secretary. We will remember Canon John in our prayers as he moves to a new Cathedral ministry. The biblical requirement for Christian leaders whatever their ministry to uphold the church’s teaching and fashion the life of their household in accordance with that teaching remains.
Dr Philip Giddings Convenor of Anglican Mainstream UK
Rev David Banting Vicar of St Peters Harold Wood Essex
Rev Dr Andrew Goddard, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Canon Dr Chris Sugden, Anglican Mainstream.
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Church Society Press Release 19 April
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Reform Press Release (20.04.04))
Press Statement From Reform
Commenting on the appointment of Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans, David Banting, the Chairman of Reform, said “This is a provocative move at a time when we had thought that the Archbishop of Canterbury had called for a period of reflection on matters related to human sexuality.
The issue has always been Jeffrey John’s teaching. The doctrinal position
he advocates on human sexuality runs counter both to the Bible’s teaching
and to the House of Bishops’ own policy position. His teaching weakens
marriage and family life and is an affront to the gospel. Over the past
year, Jeffrey John has promoted his views actively and has done so with
the approval of certain bishops. At his most recent press conference he
has continued to show approval for lifelong same-sex unions. It is disingenuous
therefore to suggest that he supports the present position of the House
of Bishops. The fact that Jeffrey John has been appointed to such a prominent
role means that he will now be in an even better position to undermine
the House of Bishops’ policy. This demonstrates that the House of Bishops
is powerless to maintain order within the Church; that the Archbishop of
Canterbury is unable to exercise leadership on this divisive issue; and
that the Bishop of St Albans is unable to discern the threat to the unity
of his diocese that this appointment poses.
We very much regret this appointment and it is with deep sorrow that now,
instead of a time of reflection, we foresee a prolonged period of growing
disenchantment, confrontation and disorder as individuals and individual
parishes consider the extent to which their communion within the Church
of England has been impaired."
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Church Society: document dated 20 April
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CEEC Statement on new Dean of St Albans
21st April
"We join others in praying for Canon Jeffrey John and those working with him as he moves to St Albans and a new area of responsibility as Dean of the Cathedral. We shall also be praying for and consulting with those in the Diocese of St Alban's who now find themselves alienated from their cathedral church.
In view of the previous controversy and the call for a period of reflection
whilst the Eames Commission is at work, there are serious questions to be
answered about the timing of this appointment and the process which has led
to it. Further, we and other orthodox Anglicans need to know in what way
Dr John's position has changed since last summer when it was deemed inappropriate
for him to be appointed to senior leadership.
It is our continuing prayer for all those in Christian leadership and ministry
that they will be faithful to the orthodox biblical teaching of the church
in all aspects of their life and ministry."
The Revd Nick Wynne-Jones
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St Albans - Anglican Mainstream Letter to Network
23rd April
This message is to inform you how Anglican Mainstream is responding to the announcement of the appointment of a new Dean of St Albans; to ask for your continuing support and prayers for our work in defence of biblical orthodoxy in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion; and to offer you ways in which you can express your support practically.
1. The Appointment
Having been previously trailed in The Times, the appointment of Dr John was formally announced on the morning of Monday 19 April. Formally, the appointment of the Dean of St Albans is made by the Crown, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and with the consent of the diocesan bishop. In practice such appointments are made by the Prime Minister. In this case it appears that the Archbishop of Canterbury was also involved. In his letter to the clergy of his Diocese published on the diocesan web-site[1] Bishop Herbert states that ‘ . . . the appointment of the Dean is in the hands of the Prime Minister and the Crown after soundings have been taken in the Church at large, in the Abbey itself, and after consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and with me. The consultation process was conducted with great care and thoughtfulness.’ However, he also says ‘But I was not able to talk about the appointment’. It is therefore not clear what consultation there was.
At the press conference formally announcing the appointment it became clear[2] that Dr John would continue to advocate the position he has consistently held in his published writings about human sexuality, a position which is contrary to the teaching of Holy Scripture and to the agreed policy of the House of Bishops of the Church of England as expressed in Issues in Human Sexuality (1991) as well as to the General Synod’s 1987 Resolution and the resolutions of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.
It is thus clear that our fore-bodings about this appointment being used to promote a change in the Church of England’s position on marriage and sexuality are already being proved correct. In spite of Archbishop Rowan’s repeated pleas for prayerful reflection and the avoidance of provocative action, the revisionists are pursuing their campaign for change - and using senior positions in the church to that end. They need to be answered.
2. Response of Anglican Mainstream
When news of the appointment was leaked to The Times on Saturday 17 April we issued a short and cautious statement, the key element in which was that ‘the requirement for Christian leaders, whatever their ministry, to uphold the Church’s teaching and order their households in accordance with that teaching remains’.
Following the official announcement of the appointment the steering committee of Anglican Mainstream has agreed the text of a letter to the Prime Minister, copied to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of St Albans, setting out our deep concerns about what has occurred. These are (1) its insensitive timing, given the controversy in the Anglican Communion following the appointment of V Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire and Archbishop Rowan’s pleas for restraint; (2) the apparent use of Church appointments to influence the debate within the Church of England, and society generally, about human sexuality; and (3) the involvement of the Prime Minister’s Office in the apparent attempts to move the Church in a more liberal direction and the leaking of the appointment to the press.
We are seeking to ensure that those responsible for these matters are in no doubt as to the depth and scale of the opposition from very many faithful Christians in England and across the world to these attempts at revisionism. You will see in the next section how you can help to play a part in that.
You may also have seen that the Church of England Evangelical Council, Church Society and Reform have issued statements expressing their concerns about the St Albans appointment. We further understand that concerned clergy and laity in the St Albans diocese are making their views known and that questions are being asked about how the bishop and the cathedral can continue to be the focus of unity in that diocese.
We are currently drafting for the AM web-site a set of Questions and Answers on the issues surrounding this appointment – e.g. the significance of the difference between the ministry of a dean and that of a bishop.
3. What you can do
First, we are involved in a spiritual battle so we must use spiritual weapons. So please pray:
for the on-going work of the network and those associated with it
for all in positions of leadership in the Church, especially our bishops and archbishops [the BCP prayer for Clergy and People seems apposite];
for those at the centre of this controversy, Canon John, Bishop Christopher, and others involved in the appointment or directly affected by it;
for the parishes and clergy of the Diocese of St Albans
for God’s mercy on our land.
Second, keep in touch with the AM network and with one another: do not be deceived by the propaganda that those who think like us are ‘just a few extremists’. We are many, and we are mainstream Anglicans, catholic and evangelical, who love Christ and His church.
Third, if you feel able, write to express your concern to one of more of the following: HM the Queen, Supreme Governor of the Church of England; the Prime Minister; the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Bishop of St Albans; your own diocesan bishop. Addresses for Archbishops and Bishops can be found via the Church of England’s web-site -http://www.england.anglican.org/links/index.html then go to ‘diocesan web-sites’.
Fourth, take the opportunity to write to the media - e.g. debate@thetimes.co.uk or the BBC’s PM programme http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/pm/contribute.shtml#top - to express your concerns and re-but the propaganda being made in support of the revisionist cause. Don’t neglect local media outlets – local radio and newspapers. Whether we express our opinions or not, the revisionists will. If we are silent, the cause of biblical orthodoxy in the church may go by default.
Lastly, be challenged and encouraged by these words from Ephesians 1:15ff (GNB) – and turn them into prayer of thanksgiving and confident hope: Jesus Christ is Lord, even of the Church
Ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I remember you in my prayers and ask . . . that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power is the same as the mighty strength which he used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world. Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and the next. God put all things under Christ’s feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things.
Philip Giddings
[1] www.stalbans.anglican.org
[2] Same web-site, ‘Extract from Press Conference re ‘Gay Marriages’; compare The Times, 20 April 2004, page 2, ‘Bless same-sex unions, says homosexual cleric’ and ‘On his first day, dean says Church should bless gays’, Daily Telegraph, 20 April 2004..
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Anglican Mainstream Press Release
23rd April
ANGLICAN MAINSTREAM QUESTION PRIME MINISTER ON ST ALBANS’ APPOINTMENT
Major concerns about the use of the office of the Prime Minister to steer the Church in a more liberal direction over human sexuality are expressed in a letter from Anglican Mainstream to 10 Downing Street.
The letter about Canon Jeffrey John’s appointment as Dean of St Albans asks the Prime Minister to meet a delegation from Anglican Mainstream to discuss their concerns about the insensitive timing of the appointment and the apparent use of church appointments to influence the debate within the Church of England. It also asks Mr Blair to take steps to discover the source of the leak about the appointment and ensure that it does not happen again.
Dr Philip Giddings, convenor of the Anglican Mainstream network, criticises the “involvement of the Prime Minister’s Office in the apparent attempts to move the church in a more liberal direction and the leaking of the appointment to the press.
The letter which is signed by the steering committee of the network, including the Revd David Banting (Chairman of Reform); the Bishop of Lewes, the Rt Revd Wallace Benn, the Revd John Coles (Chairman of New Wine), the Revd Dr Paul Gardner (Chairman of the Church of England Evangelical Council) and the Revd George Curry (Chairman of Church Society) expresses grave reservations about Canon Jeffrey John’s move from Southwark to St Albans.
“At the press conference formally announcing the appointment it became clear that Dr John would continue to advocate the position he has consistently held in his published writings about human sexuality, a position which is contrary to the teaching of Holy Scripture and to the agreed policy of the House of Bishops of the Church of England as expressed in Issues in Human Sexuality (1991) as well as to the General Synod’s 1987 Resolution as well as the resolutions of the 1998 Lambeth Conference,” commented Dr Giddings.
“It is thus clear that our forebodings about this appointment being used to promote a change in the Church of England’s position on marriage and sexuality are already being proved correct. In spite of Archbishop Rowan’s repeated pleas for prayerful reflection and the avoidance of provocative action, the revisionists are pursuing their campaign for change - and using senior positions in the church to that end. They need to be answered.”
Dr Giddings also expresses concern about the role the Archbishop of Canterbury himself played in the appointment noting that, according to Bishop Christopher Herbert’s letter to his diocesan clergy, Dr Rowan Williams was consulted.
The Anglican Mainstream letter says: “We are seeking to ensure that those responsible for these matters are in no doubt as to the depth and scale of the opposition from very many faithful Christians in England and across the world to these attempts at revisionism.”
Dr Giddings has also called on supporters of Anglican Mainstream to write to express their concern to their Bishops, the Bishop of St Albans, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister, and the Queen as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
To see the full text of Dr Giddings letter to Anglican Mainstream supporters visit the website: www.anglican-mainstream.net
For further details Dr Philip Giddings can be contacted on 0117 3788207
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St Albans DEF 27 April
Serious Disquiet Over Dean-Elect of St Albans Cathedral
27th April
Reflecting the widespread concern over the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John to be Dean of St. Albans, a meeting of the Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship committee, together with a large number of clergy and laity from across the St Albans Diocese, expressed dismay at this appointment and the consequences that will flow from it.
We recognise that the ministry of the Dean is confined primarily to the Cathedral but in view of the role such a person takes in the Diocese as a whole and also the importance of the Cathedral as one of the larger churches in the Diocese we regret this appointment.
We note that this particular appointment has been made despite the request of the Lambeth Commission that perceived controversial appointments should be avoided during their 12 months consultation period. We consequently regard this step as a serious error of judgement. Furthermore, we are aggrieved that the Diocesan Bishop, who has also called on people not to take precipitate action, should have agreed to the appointment, thus creating division within the Diocese and the wider Anglican Communion.
Such disquiet and concern has been compounded by the statements made at the Press Conference, both by Canon Jeffrey John and the Bishop of St. Albans. We regard their views as reported as wholly erroneous and contrary to Scripture, tradition and reason, as well as the statements of the House of Bishops (‘Issues in Human Sexuality’) and the Anglican Communion. We respectfully request that the appointment be withdrawn.
We recognise that individual clergy, congregations and lay members have taken, or will wish to take, further action. We will continue to consult, work and pray together for the advancement of the gospel of Christ and the upholding of biblical standards in the Diocese.
For further information, please contact:
Revd Canon Nick Bell, Vicar of St Mary’s Parish Church, Luton
Tel: 01582 721867, Email: nickbell@stmarysluton.org
Canon Mr Philip Lovegrove, OBE, Chairman of the St Albans Diocesan
Board of Finance
Tel: 0207 448 4754, Home: 01462 481880, Email: philip.lovegrove@fiskeplc.com
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Fulcrum Statement on the
Appointment of the Dean of St Albans (29 April)
The appointment of Dr Jeffrey John to the Deanery of St Albans has produced understandable concern amongst many evangelicals and traditionalists in the Diocese of St Albans and across the Church of England. Especially in the light of calls for restraint and prayerful reflection during the work of the Lambeth Commission, clergy, lay leaders and church members in the Diocese of St Albans feel distressed at the insensitive timing of this preferment, the apparent lack of consultation, and the fact that it has been seen as undermining church teaching. It is also the case that many Anglicans overseas will find it difficult to understand. Fulcrum expresses its support for, and solidarity with, all those who are seeking wisdom and discernment in knowing how best to respond.
It is very regrettable that once again the church debate about gay clergy has become personalised and focussed on Jeffrey John. This current nomination is, however, despite some press comment, different from that to be Bishop of Reading last year.
Dr John's position as a Dean means that those disagreeing with his point of view will not be asked to swear an oath of canonical obedience to him; his role will not be a 'focus of unity'; his ministry will be confined primarily to the Cathedral; he will not have pastoral oversight of clergy, and he will not be confirming candidates. Nevertheless, his preferment will lead to some being unable to give full support to the 'mother church' of their diocese. Sadly, the substance and tone of his recent statements (and those of the Bishop of St Albans) only compound these feelings of disquiet.
The Church has always been a place of debate, conflict and generous disagreement. Although Evangelicals have always accepted that there will be occasions when they will have to oppose the views of some in senior office, this does not necessarily require opposing their appointment to such office. In relation to human sexuality Fulcrum is supportive of the House of Bishops' report Some Issues in Human Sexuality and therefore disagrees with Jeffrey John's personal interpretation of Scripture in this area. It is important that all those who hold senior office show respect for the church's teaching even when they disagree with it, and Fulcrum therefore welcomes Jeffrey John's commitment to uphold rather than campaign against the church's official teaching and to live within its guidelines. We continue to pray for him and the new diocese in which he will serve as he prepares to take up his ministry.
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Anglican Mainstream
St Albans - Emerging Issues
6th May
Question
What are the emerging issues in the St Albans affair?
A. Issues relating to the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John
Firstly, at the press conference held on 19 April to announce the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John as the new Dean of St Albans much was made of the positive qualities which Canon John had to offer. Mention was made of his theological expertise, his teaching abilities, the fact that he was a man committed to prayer and to mission, and the humble and dignified way in which he dealt with the events of last summer.
There is no reason to doubt that Canon John possesses these qualities and that as a result he is many ways very well qualified for the post of the Dean. However, what was not said, and what needs to be said, is that although Canon John may now be sexually abstinent nevertheless he has been in a long term sexual relationship with another man, a form of behaviour which is contrary to Scripture, the Catholic tradition and the teaching of both the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. He has never expressed repentance for this behaviour and he has also publicly and repeatedly commended it to others.
It is hard to see why he is therefore considered suitable material for promotion to a senior position in the Church. A member of the clergy who had been in a long term adulterous relationship for which they had never expressed repentance and who publicly advocated adultery would never be considered for preferment. What is different in the case of Canon John? The suspicion has to be that those who made the appointment simply do not think that homosexuality really matters whatever the Bible the tradition and the Church may say.
Secondly, given the fact that the provinces of the Anglican Communion were specifically requested to observe a period of restraint and reflection during the time when the Lambeth Commission was carrying out its work, it is hard to understand the timing of the appointment which looks like a deliberate rejection of this request.
Since the events of last summer Canon John has become a symbolic figure in the debate about the place of homosexuals in the Church. His appointment to a senior post was therefore bound to controversial and divisive locally, nationally and internationally. Why therefore did it have to take place now? Why could it not have been delayed at least until the Lambeth Commission had reported its findings?
Thirdly, Canon John’s symbolic status means that this appointment was never going to be like any other and therefore widespread consultation would seem to have been called for.
It is true that the Prime Minister’s appointment’s secretary took soundings before making the appointment, but it is also clear that those who were likely to be opposed to the appointment seem not to have been consulted about the matter. Confidentiality obviously needs to be observed when appointments are made and the responsibility for agreeing to such appointments ultimately rests with the diocesan bishop, who has to agree to give a licence to the person concerned. As the Bishop of St Albans said at the press conference: ‘the buck stops on the desk of the diocesan bishop.’ However given that, as we have said, the appointment of Canon John was bound to stir up controversy and division why was agreement not sought for a process of confidential consultation in the diocese, the Church of England and the Anglican Communion?
Furthermore, the question seems not to have been asked about what statement the appointment makes about where the Church of England stands on the issue of homosexuality. The major concern of those who uphold the traditional view that homosexual relationships are not an acceptable Christian option is that the position set out in the 1987 General Synod motion in Issues in Human Sexuality and in resolution 1.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference will be undermined not by a vote in General Synod or at the Lambeth Conference, but by people in senior positions in the Church creating ‘facts on the ground’ by acting as though this teaching did not exist. The appointment of Canon John can only add to this.
B. Issues relating to the views of the Bishop of St. Albans
First in the report of the Press Conference on the diocesan web site, it is stated that when asked about his view of civil partnerships the bishop replied:
I am very, very pleased that the state is beginning to recognise civil partnerships. And I’m pleased because I have seen what can happen to longstanding friendships and partnerships when, say, one of the partners dies, when suddenly the person who has been closest to them is, as it were, cut out of the things that are going on, and I think that’s awful.
The problem with this response is that it misunderstands what is really driving the government’s agenda on civil partnerships. The bill is not just designed to meet perceived injustices in relation to matters to do with inheritance, pensions or the general recognition of next of kin rights for those who are not married or otherwise related. If this is the case it is hard to see why the Government has specifically limited the bill so that it only covers couples in same sex relationships. What is also going on is a deliberate attempt by the Government to try to ensure that gay and lesbian relationships are fully accepted in British society as an alternative to heterosexual marriage.
The government minister who drew up the proposals, Barbara Roche, declared, for example, in The Guardian on June 30th last year that the Government was not just saying:
…that these relationships are now legal and tolerated, but they are part of the fabric of our society. It’s a sign of a society which has modernised, it’s come of age and it recognises that there are very, very many different and very, very valid ways in which people live their lives.
Similar points were also made by supporters of the bill in the recent second reading debate in the House of Lords.
The issue which it would be helpful if the Bishop of St Albans could clarify is whether or not he supports this wider purpose of the bill. Does he think that the establishment of civil partnerships as the state supported gay or lesbian equivalent to marriage is or is not an acceptable development in British society?
Secondly, at the same press conference the bishop said that ‘what God desires above all is faithful covenant relationships’ the words that he used echoed the answers to questions given by Canon John immediately beforehand in which Canon John stated that he was in favour of gay and lesbian relationships marked by covenant faithfulness.
Does the fact that the bishop used almost identical language mean that he takes the same position on gay and lesbian relationships as Canon John? If not, what is his view of such relationships? Does he agree with the 1987 Synod motion, Issues in Human Sexuality and Lambeth 1.10 or not?
Thirdly, similar issues are raised when the bishop says that: ‘when relationships are profound and based on love, there has to be seen something of the mercy and love of God’. Once again this seems to echo an earlier answer of Canon John that a same sex relationship: ‘can be sacramental because it can reflect the love of God’.
As before the question that has to be answered is whether similarity of language means similarity of argument. Does the Bishop St Albans merely think that gay and lesbian relationships can manifest something of God’s love and mercy even though they are contrary to God’s will, as might also be the case, for example, with an adulterous relationship? Or is the bishop arguing, as Canon John does, that the fact that gay and lesbian relationships can be channels of God’s love and mercy makes them a morally acceptable form of behaviour?
It is important that these questions raised by the bishop’s own answers at the press conference are answered because at the moment there is very real doubt as to where the bishop himself stands and a suspicion that the reason that he was happy for Canon John to be appointed is because he shares his views. If this is not the case then the sooner that the matter is cleared up the better.
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Church Society letter published 18 May
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St Albans DEF statement on appointment of Dean
24th May
The St Alban's Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship (DEF) Committee met again on 21st May and received a report from those of its number who met privately with the Bishop. It continues to believe that the lack of appropriate consultation over the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John in the diocese renders it fundamentally flawed and a cause of considerable disquiet.
It values the statement by Archbishop Gomez in support of the restraint called for in the debate surrounding the appointment of Canon Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans and notes that this is especially pertinent regarding the Bishop of St Albans' endorsement of the appointment since three of the Archbishop¹s Dioceses in the West Indies are linked to that of St Albans.
It calls upon the Bishop to reconsider the appointment.
The text of Archbishop Gomez's letter can be found below.
For further information, please contact:
Revd Canon Nick Bell, Vicar of St Mary¹s Parish Church, Luton
Tel: 01582 721867, Email: nickbell@stmarysluton.org
Canon Mr Philip Lovegrove, OBE, Chairman of the St Albans Diocesan
Board of Finance
Tel: 0207 448 4754, Home: 01462 481880, Email: philip.lovegrove@fiskeplc.com
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St Albans DEF statement 9 June
St. Albans' parishes prepare action plan
9th June
An open meeting convened yesterday in St. Albans diocese considered a range of issues arising from the Diocesan Bishop's support for the appointment of the new Dean of the Cathedral.
Over 70 clergy and laity were present and 17 others had sent indications of support. Thirty-seven parishes were represented.
Having received reports from a number of members who had recently met with the Bishop, considerable concern was expressed and in particular the following issues were discussed.
That the Bishop's action has caused a breakdown of trust and divided the Diocese impinging upon the desire of the Bishop to be seen as a focus of unity.
The possibility of seeking alternative Episcopal oversight.
The ability of parishes to pay parish share (quota) in the light of lay giving being redirected and members leaving the Church of England.
Reports were received of PCCs considering withholding or suspending parish share commitments.
There was agreement that the grace and glory of the gospel of Christ is being undermined by the issues underlying this appointment.
The Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship, which convened the meeting, was asked to take appropriate action to pursue the matters raised and to work with other evangelical organisations not least to reaffirm the traditional Christian teaching on marriage.
For further information, please contact:
Revd Canon Nick Bell, Vicar of St Mary¹s Parish Church, Luton
Tel: 01582 721867, Email: nickbell@stmarysluton.org
Canon Mr Philip Lovegrove, OBE, Chairman of the St Albans Diocesan
Board of Finance
Tel: 0207 448 4754, Home: 01462 481880, Email: philip.lovegrove@fiskeplc.com