Ding-dong over vicar who refuses to quit his church
VICARS are usually viewed as a calming and reassuring presence in their communities.
But one village cleric is at the centre of an unholy row over his ‘atrocious conduct’ – which culminated in a vote of no confidence and demands for him to quit.
Father Oliver Learmont has so far faced down the calls to leave
St Mary the Virgin Church in Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, claiming he will instead be guided by the Holy Spirit.
But Michael Winstock, who stepped down as organist and choirmaster at the church in protest at the ‘difficult’ vicar, said yesterday the clergyman needed to ‘listen to his conscience and diminishing congregation instead’ and leave the benefice. Mr Winstock, 77, a retired rail industry executive, added: ‘Father Learmont will pick an argument with anybody about anything. The church authorities know all about this but nothing has been done.’
Mr Winstock said the row had reached the ear of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who he said had been in contact with the Bishop of Salisbury, Stephen Lake.
Parishioners say that under
Father Learmont’s tenure, the church has ‘ drifted and declined’. The congregation was down to handful.
Matters reached a head at St Mary’s when church warden, Michael Moore, 60, said he would step down after 20 years, unless Father Learmont indicated he would move on.
At the annual Parochial Church Council meeting last month at St Mary’s, Father Learmont said he ‘does not respond to ultimatums’ before 41 people voted unanimously against him.
Lynda Beaven, one of St Mary’s bellringers, said: ‘The vicar said he would be guided by the Holy Spirit. I would
‘Guided by the Holy Spirit’
hope that it will not be long before the Holy Spirit gets the message.’
Ed Henderson, a partner at law firm Lee Bolton Monier Williams, which specialises in ecclesiastical law, said it is ‘very difficult’ to remove members of the clergy because they are not subject to the usual employment legislation.
Father Learmont said: ‘I don’t really have a comment. Nobody has resigned from the PCC.’ A Diocese of Salisbury spokesman said: ‘We continue to offer pastoral support for Steeple Ashton and its vicar.’