Thread by @WalkerMarcus

There’s a new Code for Safer Working Practice for theCofE which, I think, all church bodies and church officers must sign up to. Some of this is essential, some long overdue, some rather worrying. Not least this sudden & undiscussed ban on parish parties.

churchofengland.org/safeguarding/p…

Indeed, my reading of this document would ban priests from going to the pub if there are children there. I haven’t seen this discussed anywhere but if they are going to implement such a drastic imposition on clergy & parishes, this needs proper debate & scrutiny.

Platinum jubilee party? Dry.
Invited round for dinner by members of the PCC who have children? No wine.
Pub group with the young adults? Lemonade and lime.

This is a pastoral catastrophe.

Also this has a whole host of potentially awful consequences. 1) It’s a troublemaker’s charter; 2) It will make forming friendships very difficult; 3) It will make socially anxious people a million times more anxious; 4) The potential to make lonely priests far from home lonelier

Also, and remember this isn’t just about children & young people, this is about adults too. Now we’re banned from taking photos on our phones. Those same phones that we’re been told all *blanking* year we need to use to film our services. Could somebody sane revisit this please?