Madam,

In his Comment column, in last week’s Cambrian News, Patrick O’Brien states: “In a detailed break-down of dates it emerges that closure was being promised long before… the diocese was told by insurers at the end of October 2012.” This seems to repeat allegations that the Diocesan trustees for some time previously had ulterior motives for closing St Winefride’s church. This is categorically untrue. I can only say that the insurers’ recommendation to close the church came suddenly, as a surprise to the Diocese as much as it did to parishioners. At the time, in a pastoral message to the parish dated 6-7 October 2012, I described it as devastating news.

The outcome of a survey conducted by the insurers, dated 26 September 2012, stated that the risks of injury to parishioners, clergy, volunteers and other visitors to the site for usual parish activities are simply too great for the buildings to be used.

On 30 October 2012, the insurers enlarged on their previous letter and stated that the survey undertaken identified that the site had clearly been the victim of structural difficulties, largely subsidence-related, for very many years. They said that, without the required long-term, highly expensive, remedial works being under-taken to make the structure safe, the building was simply too hazardous in its current state to permit its continued use as a place of public worship.

The Diocese had no prior warning of the insurers’ survey taking place. It was conducted independently of the Diocese, and hence the Diocese had no influence on the survey before, during, nor afterwards. The Diocese had no ulterior motives in mind and never has had. After the town council meeting, the Cambrian News reported that I would work with the town council to appoint a mutually-agreed independent surveyor. I have no recollection of making such a commitment that would contradict everything I’d said already at the meeting. In fact, I declined the mayor’s request that I should conduct the survey, and publicly he assumed procedural and financial responsibility for it. It is a meaningless exercise and a waste of public money, because the Vatican has now said three times, in response to parishioners’ petitions, that its decision on closure will not be reversed. St Winefride’s is permanently closed. There is currently no Catholic parish church in Aberystwyth. In association with many helpers, I will continue to search for a way to provide a suitable church for worship and prayer, but especially a dignified and sacred place for baptisms, weddings, and funerals.

Yours etc

Tom M Burns

Bishop of Menevia

Convent Street

Swansea.