JUSTICE FOR BISHOP GEORGE BELL OF CHICHESTER

CARL JACOBS COMMENT

"The CoE leadership has absolutely benefited from this strategy. It may look bad, but only a small collection of people is paying any attention. They have largely removed the story from view. They have avoided the possibility of a trial with no good defense except discrediting a potentially sympathetic victim. From the point of view of a [slithering reptile lawyer][deleted], that's a win. There was no good outcome for the CoE that involved contradicting the accusation. [Rapacious carnivores][deleted] Lawyers don't deal in justice, after all. They protect the interests of the client. They aren't paid to worry about collateral damage.
The CoE will refuse these requests until Hell freezes over. The only way the true story gets out is if someone leaks it..."

~ Carl Jacobs

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/

ANTON'S COMMENT

"Insisting on confidentiality didn't work well for the Roman Catholic church early on in its own travails about this issue (See "Spotlight" film - Ed): it looks like a cover-up if more stuff emerges"

~ Anton

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/

ALBERT'S COMMENT

"If the CofE isn't careful, it is going to look like it panicked and decided the best way to make the matter go quiet was to drop +Bell in it because he cannot answer back. In other words, the failure to produce evidence looks like a cover up of bad and unjust procedure, which was itself designed to limit bad publicity, at the expense of +Bell's reputation.
Please note: I am not saying that this is what the CofE has done. I am saying that this is what it increasingly looks like it has done"

~ Albert

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/

CARL JACOBS COMMENT

"I think it much more likely that CoE lawyers want this information suppressed. They throw the dead bishop under the bus, settle with the victim, and then stonewall any requests for information. They thus hope to inflict a quiet death upon the story at minimal cost to everyone involved except George Bell and his family - who frankly are considered expendable. It is a given that CoE leadership is protecting itself by refusing to release this information. I suspect this is so because of the cynical way in which they responded to the accusation. They don't want their rather (ahem) practical calculations exposed"

~ Carl Jacobs

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/

PART 1 - "BISHOP GEORGE BELL" - EDITORIAL COMMENT - CHICHESTER OBSERVER - THURSDAY MAY 19 2016
BY GARY SHIPTON - DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF JOHNSTON PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF SUSSEX NEWSPAPERS (INCLUDING CHICHESTER OBSERVER, CRAWLEY OBSERVER, WEST SUSSEX GAZETTE AND WEST SUSSEX COUNTY TIMES)

"The lack of information given by Church of England unsatisfactory"

PART 2 - "BISHOP GEORGE BELL" - EDITORIAL COMMENT - CHICHESTER OBSERVER

The letter by Martin Sewell eloquently argues for more transparency about the processes around which the Church of England reached its conclusions in the case of Bishop George Bell.
Fundamental to the principle of justice is not just that it is done, but it is seen to be done.
It is now clear that the lack of information, and the outcry which it has prompted, are entirely unsatisfactory.
Mr Sewell says this is unfair to all, "not least the accuser".
He is right.

PART 3 (FINAL) - "BISHOP GEORGE BELL" - EDITORIAL COMMENT - CHICHESTER OBSERVER

This level of confidentiality serves no-one well, least of all her.
Were Bishop Bell alive and subject to a criminal prosecution all the evidence would have been made public and there would have been genuine closure at the end of it.
We do not criticize the church for its actions.
But a line can only be drawn under this matter if the light of publicity is shone on all aspects of this sad case, without in any way compromising the identity of the accuser.
Mr Sewell's letter can be found in full on the facing page.

LETTER WRITTEN BY ALDINGBOURNE'S RICHARD WILBY - "MOVE SHOWS COMMON SENSE" - BOGNOR OBSERVER - THURSDAY MAY 19 2016

"Congratulations to the members of Chichester City Council for reinstating their portrait of Bishop Bell. Their action shows they have the common sense and sound judgement so conspicuously lacking from the Church of England in their deplorable actions"

RICHARD W. SYMONDS COMMENT

"No harm is wished upon the established Church - and those within it - but if the Archbishop and Bishop continue to remain silent, and do not indicate clearly the grounds of their position, the more damage they are doing to themselves and the institution(s) they represent. 'Metaphorical beheadings' will inevitably take place - 'heads will roll' - if this is not resolved quickly and effectively"

Richard W. Symonds
The Bell Society

"ARCHBISHOP CRANMER"

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/#disqus_thread

While Christians are urged to be as gentle as doves, we are also required to be wise as serpents. Complainants undoubtedly have the right to be heard and to have their accounts taken seriously and treated compassionately. But that ought never to be confused with the need for instant belief: no complainant can reasonably demand uncritical acceptance of an allegation, and no judge should give it.

The Church needs its pastors, but it also needs its prophetic critics to ensure that its policies and procedures are just and rigorous. Martin Sewell is right to remind us that justice must be transparent and accountable – two features which are unnecessarily lacking from the Diocese’s ongoing handling of this case.

"IAN" COMMENT

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/#disqus_thread

"I'd like to challenge the assumption that pastors should be nice guys. "Thy rod and thy staff comfort/strengthen/encourage me". The rod is a weapon, mostly used to against the predator. The staff generally corrects the flock. (See: http://www.antipas.org/comment....
The church desperately needs real shepherds.A real shepherd would not have allowed this situation to arise"

"DAVID" COMMENT

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/#disqus_thread

"Secrecy is a British disease affecting all our institutions. It is the enemy of democracy, justice and fair play. Secrecy is loved by the powerful as it enables their actions and decisions to escape scrutiny. Far, far too much is secret in this country, and the C of E is no exception.
Free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of conscience are the very hallmarks of a just society. Maintaining freedom is a constant struggle. In struggling to demand an end to secrecy we honour those who worked and sacrificed to give us those freedoms that we still enjoy"

"ARCHBISHOP CRANMER"

http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-absurd-fiction-of-the-need-for-secrecy-in-the-trial-of-bishop-george-bell/#disqus_thread

The Bishop of Chichester Martin Warner may dismiss the “strident voices” which are seeking to “undermine” the “survivor’s” claims against George Bell, thereby exacerbating her suffering in a deeply un-Christian way (the intended inference). But George Bell can no longer grieve for his reputation or demand rehabilitation. Trust demands justice, and justice must be seen to have been done. This is not going to go away, and the voices will remain as “strident” as they need to be until the necessary transparency and accountability are secured.

R1950 COMMENT - "PORTRAIT OF SEX ABUSE BISHOP IS BACK ON COUNCIL OFFICE WALL", ARGUS, MAY 14 2016

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14493019.Portrait_of_sex_abuse_bishop_is_back_on_council_office_wall/?cmpid=cmt

There are portraits hung of Mary Tudor. She sent over 200 people to their deaths for their beliefs. This is a proven fact.

There are busts of Julius Caesar. He committed virtual genocide in Gaul. This is a proven fact.

There are portraits of Ferdinand and Isabella who supported the Inquisition in Spain, which sent thousands to their deaths. This is a proven fact.

Nothing has been proved against Bishop Bell.

MS COMMENT

"My perspective is that this is...very much about justice in the Church of today. If we can act so cavalierly towards a man of George Bell's stature, few are safe"