THE summary sacking of 30 volunteer bellringers by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster has rightly provoked outrage.
As York’s Lord Mayor has observed: “Just because volunteers have no employment protection in law, it does not follow that they should be treated with such disdain.”
Why all this talk of rules and regulations to the exclusion of all else?
Why the outrage at anyone daring to challenge the Dean and Chapter’s authority while there is no expression of care or concern for the ringers who have been so upset?
Why has there been no public expression of gratitude for all the devoted service these world-class ringers have freely provided over many years?
Why no sense of obligation towards the city and its people who are to be deprived of the joyous sound of the bells at Christmas and New Year? Were not some of these bells paid for by public subscription in the Millennium year?
Why, when the ringers repeatedly ask for clarification, talks and attempts at reconciliation, is there no positive response from the Dean and Chapter?
If the Dean and Chapter really want to introduce people to God’s love, as the letterhead on the ringers’ letters of dismissal says, then they need to abandon their current impersonal management-speak and attempt to embody the gospel values of love, compassion, generosity and reconciliation incarnated by Jesus.
Sue Norton, Wentworth Road, York
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