June 20 2019 – ‘George Bell House’ Letters – Chichester Observer

George Bell House – 4 Canon Lane – Chichester Cathedral [before the name change in 2015] [Picture: Alamy]

 

“No justification for lack of name” – Ruth Hildebrandt Grayson – Chichester Observer Letter – June 20 2019

The phrase that 4 Canon Lane was ‘formerly known as George Bell House’ is misleading.  4 Canon Lane is a street address.  The building was given to the cathedral to commemorate Bishop George Bell, funds were raised for its renovation as George Bell House and it was dedicated as such in 2008 by Archbishop Rowan Williams.  It has never been undedicated.  The name ‘George Bell House’ therefore still stands.  The right of the cathedral authorities to attempt to remove it without due consultation with all parties concerned is highly contentious.

In view of the findings of two senior lawyers that the allegations made against George Bell are not only unproven but unfounded, there is no justification for the continued absence of his name from the building.  On the contrary, there would be every justification for all those who contributed to the renovation of George Bell House to request their money back unless the name is immediately reinstated, or to take other action as they deem appropriate.

The statement that ‘Chichester Cathedral Friends has no official position on the George Bell issue’ beggars belief.  George Bell founded the Friends in 1939.  It was entirely in order to raise this question at their anniversary meeting on 6 June.  The reply given at the time was that it would now be considered.  We await a further statement with interest.

Dr Ruth Hildebrandt Grayson

Sheffield

“Injustice on the Sisters and us” – Charlotte A Evans – Chichester Observer Letter – June 20 2019

Your report on the demonstration at George Bell House [4 Canon Lane] seems slightly to misrepresent the issue, in stating that its purpose was “to highlight the ‘injustice’ on the former Bishop”.

As I understand it, the protesters were gathered to highlight, first, the injustice on the Sisters* who donated the house, and on all of us who contributed financially to the renovation of the former Archdeaconry.

It was formally opened by Archbishop Rowan Williams as “George Bell House”, in 2008.

Thus, the commemoration of Bishop Bell was integral to the establishment of the centre, and ought not to have been suppressed by the Dean & Chapter.

You are right, of course, to report the sense of injustice regarding Bishop Bell.

Many of your readers will be aware of the petition to restore the name to George Bell House, which [I believe] has over a thousand signatories so far.

Thank you for your reporting.

Charlotte A Evans

Chichester

* Anglican Sisters of the Community of the Servants of the Cross

June 13 2019 – “Protest to reinstate George Bell House” – Chichester Observer

June 6 2019 – “Welcome To George Bell House” – 80th Anniversary Midday Event – 4 Canon Lane- Chichester

‘JUSTICE FOR GEORGE BELL’ PETITION

https://www.change.org/p/the-dean-chapter-of-chichester-cathedral-justice-for-george-bell-479a626f-47aa-400d-8fc3-61b19fcc5d98?use_react=false

Professor Peter Billingham of Chichester and Revd James Grayson of Sheffield hold the banner aloft.

Professor Peter Billingham and Marilyn Billingham of Chichester and Revd James Grayson and Ruth Grayson  of Sheffield changing the banner’s position.

Professor Peter Billingham of Chichester and Revd James Grayson of Sheffield re-positioning the banner.

Picture of George Bell House before 2015 – Alamy

Leaflet 1 handed out at the ‘Welcome to George Bell House’ 80th Anniversary event – June 6 2019

Leaflet 2 handed out at the ‘Welcome to George Bell House’ 80th Anniversary event – June 6 2019

“A Significant Cloud over the Bell Tower at Chichester Cathedral” ~ RWS Photography

CATHEDRAL PROTEST 3 YEARS AGO – SUNDAY APRIL 4 2016

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14401570.group-want-new-look-into-case-of-late-bishop/

 

Jan 28 2019 – “Bishop Bell to be cleared of abuse by the Archbishop, and George Bell House to be restored at Chichester by the Dean and Chapter ?” – Richard W. Symonds

‘Rebuilding Bridges’ will take place in Chichester next week (Feb 4) – at 4 Canon Lane (formerly George Bell House) – to tackle a number of critical questions, including:

1. Will Bishop Bell be cleared of abuse by the Archbishop?

2. Will George Bell House be restored at Chichester by the Dean and Chapter?

 

December 16 2018 – Peter Hitchens on Archbishop Welby and Bishop Bell’s Niece

YouTube / https://www.businessinsider.com.au/peter-hitchens-interview-jeremy-corbyn-theresa-may-brexit-2017-7

“Does Archbishop Welby’s pride matter more than an elderly lady’s pain?”

By PETER HITCHENS FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

PUBLISHED: 01:42, 16 December 2018 | UPDATED: 01:52, 16 December 2018

This Christmas I would like you to think of the plight of a 94-year-old woman, who has been atrociously mistreated by the Archbishop of Canterbury 

Her name is Mrs Barbara Whitley.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Barbara Whitley   http://archbishopcranmer.com/church-england-bullies-george-bell-niece/

 

More than three years ago, the Church of England publicly accused her beloved long-dead uncle of the filthy crime of child sex abuse.

The charge was based on the word of a single accuser, more than half a century after the supposed offence. The Church had presumed his guilt and made no serious effort to discover the truth. Key living witnesses were neither sought, found nor interviewed. A senior bishop admitted soon afterwards that they were actually not convinced the claim was true. Yet by some mysterious process, a number of newspapers and BBC stations, all on the same day, felt safe in confidently pronouncing that Barbara’s uncle had been a disgusting paedophile. No ifs or buts.

Who told them?

A later inquiry would show that this miserable episode was based on nothing more than a chaotic, sloppy kangaroo court. One of this country’s most distinguished lawyers, Lord Carlile, tore the case against Barbara’s uncle to shreds. He said there would have been no chance of a conviction on the evidence available, and made mincemeat of the shambolic committee that had published the original allegation.

After delaying the release of this inquiry for weeks, Justin Welby’s church eventually published it.

But did it admit its mistake and restore the reputation of Barbara Whitley’s wrongly defamed uncle?

Nope. Mr Welby, in defiance of all the rules of British justice, sulkily insisted that a ‘significant cloud’ still hung over the name of Barbara’s uncle. Thus, just as she might have been able to rejoice that her relative’s name had at last been cleared, the Head of the Established Church made it his personal business to prevent this.

And then, a few weeks later, another supposed allegation against her uncle was said to have been made. Why then? What was it? Who had made it? Nobody would say, but it served to stifle potential criticism of Mr Welby at the General Synod of the Church of England, which was about to begin. Details of the second allegation remain a secret. After nearly a year, Mr Welby’s church (which has a bad record of sitting on reports that it doesn’t like) still hasn’t come up with its conclusions. Yet Sussex Police, given the same information, dropped their investigations into the matter after a few short weeks.

It all looks a bit as if someone is trying to save someone’s face. But the cruelty to Barbara Whitley, who was 91 when this horrible saga began, is appalling. Who cares about some prelate’s pride (a sin in any case) when Mrs Whitley could be spared any more pain?

Because the cruelty to Mrs Whitley seems to me to be so shocking in a supposedly Christian organisation, I have deliberately left till last that the object of these accusations is the late Bishop of Chichester, George Bell.

George Bell Bishop of Chichester – Howard Coster / RWS Photography

Bell was, as people who knew him have told me, a kind, scrupulously honest, courageous man. He was, most notably, a beloved friend of the German Christians who fought against Hitler and a brave critic of the cruelty of war. I sometimes wonder if modern bishops and archbishops are afraid of being compared with him. They have reason to be. In the meantime, Mr Welby’s church should end Mrs Whitley’s agony.

Does anyone really doubt that, if the archbishop wanted to, he could end the whole business today?

~ Peter Hitchens

4 Canon Lane / George Bell House

4 Canon Lane / George Bell House – Chichester

The_Mystery_Guest

Uxbridge

101147 – Tripadvisor

Will be Back … but to George Bell House!

Review of 4 Canon Lane  – 14 January 2018 

4 Canon Lane, formerly known as George Bell House (its rightful name – likely to be restored … see NOTE below), is a guest house set within the cathedral grounds in a fantastic location tucked behind the Cathedral and next to the beautiful Bishop’s Gardens. The house is a historic building, full of character with décor in keeping with the period. Set in a quiet location the building has a restful atmosphere. It is ideally located for exploring the charming town centre of Chichester, its cathedral or visit the Festival Theatre – all within walking distance!

4 Canon Lane is used for many purposes and only has 8 rooms. The rooms are comfortable without being elaborate. Some of the upstairs rooms have wonderful views of the cathedral or gardens. In particular, the 2 large doubles, Room 4 overlooking the garden and Room 5 overlooking the Cathedral are more expensive but apparently worth it. Smaller rooms are to the side and have showers, not baths.

It would seem that there are significant different differences between the rooms – with the better rooms unsurprisingly in demand – so early booking is advised…

George Bell House – 4 Canon Lane – Chichester Cathedral – before the name change [Picture: Alamy]

NOTE:

Due to unsubstantiated allegations, George Bell House has been renamed 4 Canon Lane. However, in the absence of any actual proof, court judgement or any admission of liability on behalf of the Church of England, it is expected that 4 Canon Lane will have its previous name of George Bell House restored.
Without proof or independent substantive evidence, there is no justification to excise the extraordinary legacy of Bishop George Bell or his memory…

The Church of England also seems to need reminding that in the United Kingdom a man is innocent until actually proven guilty.

Although it is for [Dean and] Chapter to decide, it is expected 4 Canon Lane will revert back to its former title of George Bell House following an Extraordinary meeting of the Chichester Cathedral Council on 17 January 2018.

Amen to that.

George Bell House – 4 Canon Lane – Chichester Cathedral

George Bell House – 4 Canon Lane – Chichester Cathedral – before the name change [Picture: Alamy]

4 Canon Lane – November 2017 – RWS Photography

4 Canon Lane – November 2017 – RWS Photography

George Bell House – 4 Canon Lane – Chichester Cathedral [circa 2014]