Archive for the 'church discipline' Category

Apr 10 2008

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Kevin Bussey

‘Spitting vicar’

[BBC News]

A Church of England vicar accused of spitting at and intimidating his parishioners has been ordered to leave his Cambridgeshire post by his bishop.

Rev Dr Tom Ambrose, 61, of St Mary and St Michael Church in Trumpington, has been disqualified from carrying out any of the functions of his office. A church tribunal last year recommended the move citing “pastoral breakdown”. Dr Ambrose has issued a denial he ever spat at parishioners and said the allegation was never put to him. Dr Ambrose had clashed with parishioners over his plans to modernise the church.

The tribunal heard evidence of “arrogant, aggressive, rude, bullying, high-handed, disorganised and at times petty behaviour of Dr Ambrose”.

In the decision letter to the vicar and those who brought the tribunal, the Bishop of Ely Dr Anthony Russell wrote: “I am astonished and dismayed that there are recorded two occasions on which it is said that Dr Ambrose spat at parishioners, allegations which were not challenged in cross-examination.”

Read about it here.

[From me] 

Maybe it is way of baptizing his parishioners! :)

What to you think?

 

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