Anglican vestry members resign after Western Diocese Bishop refuses to meet

Elaine Watton has been a vestry member for about 25 years now. She says it all started last month when Bishop John Organ dismissed Cathedral Dean and Rector, the Reverend Catherine Short, and revoked her license to practice ministry.

All  9 members of the Vestry of the Cathedral Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Corner Brook have resigned. A demonstration was held outside the church this morning and about 50 people attended. Elaine Watton has been a vestry member for about 25 years now. She says it all started last month when Bishop John Organ dismissed Cathedral Dean and Rector, the Reverend Catherine Short, and revoked her license to practice ministry. Watton says the bishop won’t meet with them to discuss her firing and revoking a license this is very serious. She says they went a step higher to the Metropolitan Archbishop Reverend David Edwards and after letters and a petition asking for his help, he did issue a response. However, it was for Dean Catherine and not the vestry. 

Glynda Seaborn has been a member of the congregation for the past 50 plus years.  She says they were shocked when they heard of Dean Catherine’s dismissal. Seaborn says this whole situation is devastating to the congregation. 

Bayfm news reached out to Bishop John Organ but did not get a reply. Meanwhile, a statement from the The Anglican Church of Canada reads they are aware of the situation in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland. While the Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada and the Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada have no jurisdiction in the matters at issue, they are available to provide pastoral care and support.