The Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton, has announced that a Special Visitation will take place at Wells Cathedral. The Visitation will take place from 24 – 27 September 2022.
Wells Cathedral Chapter requested Bishop Ruth to conduct a review of the culture, governance and leadership at the cathedral. This follows the publication of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) safeguarding audit and comes ahead of the move to place all cathedrals under the jurisdiction of the Charity Commission, in line with the Cathedrals Measure 2021.
Bishop Ruth has decided that a Special Visitation is to be undertaken, and this will consider the leadership culture of the cathedral and its effects on safeguarding and the well-being of staff and volunteers. It will look at the nature of leadership within the Cathedral and how it impacts Cathedral governance structures, key working relationships and the decision-making processes within the Executive and Chapter. The review will also explore the adequacy of how safeguarding and human resources is resourced.
The three-person panel who will undertake the Special Visitation will be led by Bishop Tim Stevens, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and formerly Bishop of Leicester. The other panel members are Victoria Johnson, Precentor at York Minster, and Hilary Lines who is a coach and leadership development consultant who works within Cathedral teams. They will be supported by Stephen Lynas, former Bishops’ Chaplain in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, who will act as clerk.
The reviewers will engage with staff, volunteers, the Cathedral’s clerical leaders, the Executive and Chapter, members and leaders of the choir, and virgers. They will report back to Bishop Michael, Bishop of Bath and Wells and Bishop Ruth, Bishop of Taunton before the end of the year. If anyone wishes to make representations to the Visitation panel they may do so by emailing: bishops.visitation@bathwells.anglican.org no later than Wednesday 5 October 2022.
We pray that God may guide and support us throughout this challenging time. Grant us open hearts and minds and help us to show kindness, care, and support for one another as we all move forward together in faith.