The Rev of rage!
Vicar quits after ‘tirade’ at Diana church worshippers
SET in rolling Northamptonshire countryside and in the shadow of the ancient aristocratic seat of Althorp, the churches of the Spencer benefice should be the epitome of quiet, rural Christianity.
Among them, after all, is St Mary’s, where Princess Diana’s ancestors lie in the family crypt.
Yet today, a most unholy row has broken out between parishioners of the benefice’s six rural churches and their vicar, the Reverend Sue Kipling, who is accused of behaviour ranging from ‘un-Christian’ to ‘powercrazed’ and ‘dictatorial’.
Last Sunday, following a series of complaints by churchgoers, she announced her resignation.
A 67-year-old former councillor, the Rev Kipling turned her back on a sixfigure salary as head of Macclesfield council to join the priesthood in 2004, declaring: ‘This is what God wants me to do.’
At the time she was described as ‘a breath of fresh air’ by fellow councillors.
Yet it appears that this sentiment is not shared among her Christian flock.
‘She is an awful woman,’ said one. ‘She does not let brides have hymns they want and it is the same for funerals. No end of people who have died have requested she does not officiate at their service.’
Another parishioner said the Rev Kipling had caused great upset after ‘laying down the law’ over his wife’s funeral. ‘We wanted to put on the headstone “Beloved wife, mum and nanny”, but she said we could not have that. It had to be “Wife, mother and grandmother.” ’
Matters came to a head at an Easter service in the 14th Century St Botolphs church, when the Rev Kipling used her sermon to launch an angry tirade against the congregation, accusing them of plotting to have her removed.
City lawyer Louis Flannery told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Sue went down on her knees and started saying, “I know there are people here that hate me”. The congregation started shouting, “No, no, no!” and Sue said, “Yes, yes, yes. I know it is true!”
‘It turned into this shouting match. I was there with my four-year-old son and we left.’
The Rev Kipling acknowledged what she called ‘great difficulties’ in the diocese but denied shouting at her parishioners. ‘My resignation has been planned for some time. I’m here to bring the love of Christ. I didn’t bellow at anyone.
‘I’ve got my faith and we have to remember that Jesus wasn’t always liked.’