The Bishop of Chelmsford has taken the unusual step of writing to every member of the cash strapped Church of England diocese to explain why 11 head office jobs were axed just weeks before Christmas.

Bishop John Perry says the redundancies were necessary because of "severe financial constraints" and the need to return decision making back to grassroots parishes by setting up three area teams in the New Year.

Copies of the Bishop's hard hitting letter were distributed after Advent Sunday services at 611 churches warning parishioners that the country's second largest diocese was in the red by nearly £700,000 for the second year running.

Bishop Perry wrote: "In 1999 we had a deficit of £693,955 and at the time of writing the projected deficit for this year is no less.

"Hard decisions have had to be faced in determining the budget for 2001 which have resulted, very regrettably, in making a number of people from central staff redundant.

"By putting our own house in order we can be more outward-looking with clearer focus on the mission entrusted to us by God.

"A major challenge for all of us is the level of our giving. We can no longer avoid the fact that we have to be a financially self-supporting Church."

Four top level posts, that of ministry development officer, mission officer, social responsibility officer and youth officer, as well as three advisers on stewardship, evangelism and interfaith matters have gone, together with five secretarial positions.

One was made compulsorily redundant, five were going to other diocese, two had chosen voluntary redundancy and three offered jobs in area teams.

Bishop's press officer Philip Banks said the jobs cuts were ratified by the Synod - the Diocesan 'parliament' - in November in the light of Bishop Perry's Millennium Challenge when parishes answered an 11 page questionnaire about their vision for the Church.

Diocesan communications manager Jenny Robinson commented: "The message from them all about wanting to work in a more appropriate way came out loud and clear."

By Steve Clow

Reporter's email: steve.clow@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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