Madam,

Those that celebrate the Congregation of the Clergy’s ruling with regard to St Winefride’s church in Aberystwyth celebrate a Pyrrhic victory. Pressing ahead with the demolition of a sound, Victorian church in the town proper, with no public survey or report stating that the building is structurally unsound is nothing short of vandalism. The replacement church will be a renovated ruin, difficult for those without private transport to reach on Sundays, with a price tag of at least £360,000 to parishioners, initially paid for by a loan taken out by the diocese in the name of the parish. Neither Bishop Burns nor any diocesan trustees have visited the parish since January 2015, breaking a promise to parishioners to do so before any major decisions with regard to the parish would be undertaken. Further, under Menevia’s stewardship, £103,000 has been taken from parish funds, with only £11,000 being accounted for. There is no evidence in replies to parishioners that any of the issues have been read and understood by the Congregation of Clergy. Had they not done their homework? Isn’t a rubber-stamping hierarchy exactly what Pope Francis is trying to reform? Wouldn’t £360,000 go a long way towards feeding a hungry world and, in desperately needy times, isn’t a church, easily accessible to all, paramount?

Parishioners have been warned in a pastoral preface that further dissent in Aberystwyth is ‘out of order and reprehensible’. However, these Catholics believe that they are speaking out for truth, and against injustice. Disappointed by the Vatican’s lack of insight, I, as have many other fellow Catholics, have been cheered by the overwhelming sympathy and support of Aberystwyth residents, who understand the importance of safeguarding St Winefride’s.

Yours etc

Lucy Huws

Trinity Road

Aberystwyth