Who is responsible for leaks from the Crown Nominations Commission?; Charity tax plans to be reviewed; Tax relief on charitable giving; C of E Director of Communications appointed; Major ecumenical climate change service and workshops
Who is responsible for leaks from the Crown Nominations Commission?
The Crown Nominations Commission, which will nominate Rowan Williams’ successor as Archbishop of Canterbury, leaks. Strategically. And at least one leading figure thinks the leak needs to be plugged before the next archbishop is selected.
In a letter to the Guardian, Dean Jeffrey John wrote:
In July 2010 someone on the CNC leaked to the press the fact that I was a shortlisted candidate for the See of Southwark. The archbishop of Canterbury set up an inquiry into the leak under Baroness Fritchie. This inquiry was never published, and was said to have been unable to reach a conclusion.
Colin Slee, the late dean of Southwark, who was a permanent member of the CNC, sent in a memorandum to the Fritchie inquiry about the conduct of the Southwark appointment, which was published last year after his death. In it he expressed his great distress at having been ostracised because he was regarded by many, including both archbishops, as the probable source of the leak. Colin made the point that to suspect him was ludicrous, since he strongly supported me for the Southwark post, and the obvious purpose of the leak was to stir up threats of reaction among hardline evangelicals and frighten the CNC out of appointing me.
Following Colin’s death and the publication of this memorandum, the journalist who received the leak was honourable enough to publish a statement that Colin was not his source. The archbishop of Canterbury set up the Fritchie inquiry with alacrity when it was suspected that Colin Slee was the leaking member of the CNC. It would be good to know that steps are being taken to identify the real culprit and ensure that he will not be involved in nominating the new archbishop or in any further appointments.
Matthew Taylor of the Guardian has a news story containing all of the relevant background. But the key piece of reporting was done 11 months ago by Jonathan Wynne Jones who received the leak in the first place.
He wrote:
It is not difficult to understand why Rowan Williams was upset that the story had leaked out, but there was great hypocrisy from some of those most upset by the disclosure, with one senior lay evangelical protesting just a little too much.
It seems that insiders in the Church of England know who the leaker, knows what his game is, but are unwilling to do anything about it.
Text of letter:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/15/church-track-down-source-leak
Report:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/15/anglican-church-leak-inquiry-gay-cleric
Background:
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/anglican_communion/the_slee_memo_more_reaction_mo.html
Charity tax plans to be reviewed
Guardian – Downing Street announces full consultation on implementation of tax relief caps, including those for charitable donations.Downing Street has opened the door for a climbdown over the charity tax by stressing that a full consultation on the tax relief caps will take place this summer.
A spokeswoman for No 10 said a “formal consultation on the implementation” was due in the next few weeks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/apr/16/charity-tax-plans-face-review
Tax relief on charitable giving
In addition to the extension of to VAT to alterations to listed buildings in the budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer also put a limit on the tax relief that higher-rate tax payers can claim on donations…
James Kirkup and Tim Ross reported in The Telegraph this weekend that George Osborne’s charity tax plan is unfair, says Church of England. This article quotes remarks from “the chief finance officer of the Church [Commissioners]” which were made as a comment to an article by Tania Mason for Civil Society Media: Osborne provides evidence of aggressive tax avoidance to justify tax relief cap.
The weekend papers have published a number of other articles about this limit.
The Guardian – Dalya Alberge and Daniel Boffey – Nick Clegg to go on charm offensive amid fury over charity tax cap Press Association Charity tax relief cap: Tory treasurer adds voice to criticism Marina McIntyre Charity tax relief plans attacked by philanthropists Patrick Wintour and Hélène Mulholland
Ministers look at measures to protect charities from tax changes
The Telegraph – Roya Nikkhah, Julie Henry and Robert Watts – Charity tax relief cap under fire as philanthropists warn of funding crisis. Patrick Hennessy, Robert Watts and Roya Nikkhah Ministers sound retreat in charity tax row
Charity tax row: Government will ‘find solution’, says William Hague
Mail Online
– Rob Cooper Tory treasurer turns on George Osborne in revolt over plans to cut tax relief on charitable donations
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2130254/The-450m-toll-Osbornes-Heritage-Tax-How-hits-churches-listed-buildings-thatched-roofs.html
C of E Director of Communications appointed
C of E Press release: The Revd Arun Arora has been appointed to serve the Church of England as Director of Communications at Church House, Westminster, following a competitive process.
The Communications Office, previously led by Peter Crumpler, provides direct support to the Archbishops’ Council, Church Commissioners and Pensions Board, and works closely with Lambeth and Bishopthorpe Palaces, other bishops’ offices, diocesan communications officers and cathedrals. Arun will take up the Director’s post in the summer.
Welcoming the appointment, the Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich and lead bishop on communications, said: “Arun Arora is a person of great and varied talents. His skills as a communications professional are matched by the insights he has gained since ordination. I know his appointment will be warmly welcomed within the Church of England and well beyond it, too.”
Arun currently serves as the Team Leader of Wolverhampton Pioneer Ministries, a fresh expression of church based in Wolverhampton City Centre. Prior to his move to Wolverhampton, Arun served his curacy in Harrogate where he also served for three years as Director of Communications to the Archbishop of York and prior to that for four years as Bishop’s Press Officer and Director of Communications in the Diocese of Birmingham…
http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2012/4/16/ACNS5088
Major ecumenical climate change service and workshops
ACNS – The Anglican Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, Roman Catholic Bishop of Middlesbrough, The Rt Rev Terence Drainey and The Methodist Chair of the York & Hull District, the Rev Stephen Burgess will lead a special service at York Minster on Saturday, 21 April, to explore the Christian response to climate change.
http://www.aco.org/acns/digest/index.cfm/2012/4/16/Major-ecumenical-climate-change-service-and-workshops