from Religion Media Centre
A public consultation is under way to re-organise parishes in Cornwall, so that 23 churches in 18 parishes become a single benefice, with two clergy – a rector and a vicar.
The “pastoral scheme” is for the Kerrier Deanery, which stretches down to The Lizard and currently has six clergy positions. Historically, each benefice had its own vicar or rector. In order to move forward, the proposed reorganisation requires the approval of the Church Commissioners, who are now inviting public feedback on the matter with a deadline of 15 September.
The plan has met resistance from the Save the Parish movement, which has outlined advice for people to fight back on pastoral schemes, saying “The more energetically a pastoral reorganisation is resisted, the more likely the fight back is likely to succeed”.
Its plan of action includes uniting the Parish Council, bringing together the whole community not just those who attend church every Sunday, setting up a “Friends” group, and aiming for a large number of objections.