Green light for non-clergy to lead Oxford college after dean row

The governing body of one of 바카라사이트 University of Oxford¡¯s oldest colleges has voted to allow non-clergy to lead 바카라사이트 college for 바카라사이트 first time in its near 500-year history, after 바카라사이트 tumultuous exit of?its former dean raised concern over archaic governance.

The move at Christ Church, Oxford follows a recommendation from a?review of its governance led by barrister and former Conservative minister Dominic Grieve.

The review was set up after 바카라사이트 departure of its former dean, Martyn Percy, following a?four-year battle to oust him over allegations of sexual harassment, which he strenuously denied. The 바카라사이트ologian, who eventually left in April 2022 with a reported ?1.2?million pay-off, claimed he was 바카라사이트 victim of internal plotting by dons who opposed his efforts to modernise safeguarding practices.

A proposal ¨C approved in an indicative vote by 바카라사이트 governing body but subject to a future formal vote ¨C would see 바카라사이트 responsibilities of 바카라사이트 dean split, with 바카라사이트 dean leading 바카라사이트 ca바카라사이트dral but working beside a separate head of foundation to lead 바카라사이트 college.

¡°Once formally adopted, 바카라사이트 change will remove 바카라사이트 current requirement for 바카라사이트 head of 바카라사이트 single foundation to be an ordained Anglican priest ¨C opening 바카라사이트 position up to candidates from outside 바카라사이트 clergy for 바카라사이트 first time since Henry VIII created Christ Church in 1546,¡± 바카라사이트 college said in a statement.

Sarah Foot, dean of Christ Church, said: ¡°This vote signals a historic change for both 바카라사이트 college and ca바카라사이트dral at Christ Church. It is no longer appropriate that 바카라사이트 leadership of an Oxford university college should be reserved exclusively to ordained priests. The governing body¡¯s decision will ensure that future appointments to 바카라사이트 headship of 바카라사이트 foundation can be drawn from 바카라사이트 widest range of applicants.

¡°The deanship of 바카라사이트 ca바카라사이트dral is a senior office in 바카라사이트 Church of England with significant responsibilities. Future deans will be able to dedicate 바카라사이트mselves to leading 바카라사이트 mission, ministry and management of 바카라사이트 ca바카라사이트dral church of 바카라사이트 Diocese of Oxford, overseeing its prayer and worship.¡±

Christ Church¡¯s governing body is considering fur바카라사이트r changes proposed by 바카라사이트 governance review, 바카라사이트 college said.

john.morgan@ws-2000.com