The ‘ bullying’ vicar, her prickly parishioners and a very un-Christian squabble
SHE had urged her flock to make the most of church tranquillity when she became the first woman vicar of a 900-year-old abbey.
But that peace was shattered by an unholy feud between the Rev Catherine Relf-Pennington and members of the choir.
The row saw a ‘ toxic atmosphere’ at Wymondham Abbey in Norfolk as a former High Court judge was called in to investigate 19 allegations against Australian-born Mrs Relf-Pennington, 63.
She was accused of bullying choristers and assaulting a worshipper – although the alleged victim refused to provide a statement. Sir Mark Hedley’s leaked report into the row branded both sides a ‘disgrace to a Christian community’.
He said although the abbey’s first female vicar was ‘firm’, she had to contend with ‘a small group of troublemakers, with a history of trouble making’.
He added: ‘I must confess myself sceptical that these parties have the requisite Christian maturity to handle what would be a lengthy and inevitably painful experience [of reconciliation].’
Urging both sides to settle their differences, he added: ‘ Attitudes are clearly hardened and must now be recognised as such.’ Referring to the Northern Ireland peace process, he stressed: ‘If Ireland could do it in 1997, who are we to say that Wymondham could not do it in 2020?’ Sir Mark said 37 complaints had originally been made against Mrs RelfPennington, who took up her role at the abbey in 2017.
Most came from members of the choir and 19 were passed on to the Bishop of Norwich, who ordered an investigation managed by the Clergy Discipline Commission. Sir Mark’s 884-page report for the commission ordered those involved to find a resolution over the ‘fear, resentment and unhappiness’ at the abbey or risk settling the row at a bishop’s tribunal – where clergy members can potentially be struck off.
The vicar was raised in Hong Kong and moved to the UK to attend university. She is considered a moderniser and worked as a research scientist in artificial intelligence before joining the priesthood.
Sir Mark said some of the reasons for the dispute centred on the vicar’s alleged ‘over-authoritative and highhanded’ management. He also said it was ‘strange’ that the choir’s director of music, Rob Goodrich, who was at the ‘hub’ of many complaints, had not made a statement.
He stressed he had become ‘increasingly appalled’ with what tribunal proceedings would mean for all concerned if the dispute dragged on that far. He said: ‘Much of the evidence adduced by the respondent suggests real life and growth in this community. Likewise the evidence adduced by the complainants suggests much fear, resentment and unhappiness here. It is quite likely there are real elements of truth in both views.’ The retired judge concluded that both sides should reconcile their differences.
Wymondham Mayor Kevin Hurn suggested that the complaints could have been sparked by Mrs Relf- Pennington’s ‘ less traditional approach’.
He added: ‘She is a radical thinker. Some services have been changed to reflect modern society and I wonder if the town is ready for that.’
The Bishop of Norwich, the
Right Rev Graham Usher, urged ‘all involved at Wymondham Abbey to find ways to demonstrate the love and grace of Christ to one another and to work together in healing hurts and divisions.’
The vicar and Mr Goodrich refused to comment. Mrs Relf- Pennington was appointed as associate vicar at Wymondham Abbey in 2013 before becoming its 60th vicar four years later. The abbey was built as a Benedictine monastery in 1107, but was partly demolished by Henry VIII in the 16th century.
‘Row is a disgrace to Christian community’