Madam,

The sad story of Our Lady and St Winifrede’s, the forlorn and neglected Catholic church in the centre of Aberystwyth, seems destined to become a mysterious and never-ending saga of decisions made at a distance, with little, if any , understanding of local needs.

It is sad to think that, prior to every Mass celebrated by the parishioners, volunteers are needed to ‘set up’ a venue in a school hall, when a church exists in the parish which could be refurbished to meet those basic needs.

Indeed, there is already in existence a substantial sum of money (£60,000 to date) donated for that very purpose.

So where does the problem lie? Not in the Vatican, nor in the church hierarchy in the United Kingdom, it seems, but much closer to home. ‘It is a matter for the bishop’ we are told. But what is the matter which is so problematic for a bishop, that monies collected by parishioners and well-wishers cannot be used to re-open a building, on even a temporary basis?

This is indeed a mystery which cannot be solved by a survey (not allowed by the bishop), nor by building a church on an alternative site (not allowed by the banks, who will not provide a loan). It seems that the solution to the problem can only be provided by the bishop himself and his abortive attempt at explaining his decisions to the council indicates that any solution is some way off.

We can only wait and, in the meanwhile, Sunday after Sunday, halls will become churches, and the Church of Our Lady and St Winifrede’s stands unused, still loved.

Yours etc,

Susan Pierce, Laurel Road, Saltburn by the Sea.

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