Retired Anglican Reverend speaks of the firing of another clergy in the Western Diocese

    Thursday, 27 February 2025 07:00

    By Tonya Organ

    The Bishop could not be reached for comment.

    A retired Anglican Reverend is speaking out after her own experiences with Bishop John Organ, head of the Western Diocese. Paulette Bugden spent nearly ten years as an Anglican Minister within the diocese. Yesterday, about 50 people attended a demonstration in front of St. John the Evangelist in Corner Brook. All  9 members of the Vestry resigned on Friday after calls for a meeting with the Bishop were denied. They wanted to know why Dean Catherine was  dismissed. Bugden says on January 19th the Bishop told a Sunday morning congregation that Dean Catherine has anger issues. She says not all lay people understand what’s happening and clergy are afraid for the jobs if they go against their Bishop like Dean Catherine did. Meanwhile, a statement from the Anglican Church of Canada says they are aware of the situation in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland. It also explained that they have no jurisdiction over these matters, they are available to provide pastoral care and support.

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