The canon chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral has resigned from his post, BBC reports today, as the Cathedral prepares to re-open Friday.
Reverend Canon Dr Giles Fraser has been sympathetic to the Occupy anti-capitalist protest camp outside which has forced the cathedral’s closure.
Dr Fraser said on Twitter: “It is with great regret and sadness that I have handed in my notice at St Paul’s Cathedral.”
The Dean of St Paul’s, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, said he was “sorry to see him go”.
St Paul’s, which closed last week, could reopen to the public on Friday. A decision will be made later.
Differences over the handling of the protest are thought to have prompted his decision, says the BBC’s religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott.
The cathedral was shut over fears of “significant issues” with health and safety concerning the Occupy London Stock Exchange (OLSX) camp.
‘Unique contribution’
Dr Fraser, who was a former vicar of Putney, had taken up the post of with St Paul’s Cathedral in 2009.
Following the resignation, Mr Knowles said: “Giles has brought a unique contribution to the life and ministry of St Paul’s.
“He has developed the work of the St Paul’s Institute and has raised the profile of our work in the City.
“We are obviously disappointed that he is not able to continue to his work with Chapter during these challenging days.
“We will miss his humour and humanity and wish Giles and his family every good wish into the future.”
The post of canon chancellor is a Crown appointment.
St Paul’s and Occupy seek compromise over protest camp
St Paul’s Cathedral hopes to reopen on Friday 28 October, after activists in the Occupy anti-corporate greed camp in London agreed to rearrange their tent formation, overcoming health and safety concerns.
The Dean of St Paul’s, Graeme Knowles, described himself as “optimistic” about reopening after changes to the camp set up initiated by the Occupy London Stock Exchange group – which has sought to be as cooperative as possible, while maintaining the right and necessity to highlight the need for a new economic order in the heart of the UK’s financial centre.
The Dean explained: “A passageway allowing evacuation procedures to be improved has been created. The kitchen providing food for those in the camp has been moved from close proximity to the building, bicycles chained to the railings have been shifted and a clear pathway restored.”
He added: “We will revisit the risk assessment in the light of any overnight developments and, subject to us getting the green light, we hope to reopen in time for the 12.30 Eucharist on Friday.”
Tim Williams, from Occupy London Stock Exchange, said protestors had been working with the church authorities to move tents, reconfigure barriers and relocate the camp’s kitchen to facilitate the reopening.
A final decision is expected today, reports the BBC.