Shortage of clergy worries parishioners in Colne (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Shortage of clergy worries parishioners in Colne

5:00pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News

CONCERN has been raised about a shortage of clergy in Colne after a third priest announced he is set to leave the parish.

Rev Tony Rindl, team rector for Colne and villages parish and area dean, is moving to pastures new in Watford after Christmas.

He is the third priest to leave the parish in seven months following Rev Priestly Brook retiring in August and Rev Chris Sterry moving to Gloucestershire in May.

The parish, which has five churches, will be left with two assistant clergy who can conduct baptisms, weddings and funerals and a retired priest who has permission to help with services.

Pam Watson, former warden at Christ Church said: “The announcement came as a bit of a surprise to us all so close to the other departures. We will certainly miss him and wish him well for the future.

“It will leave the team very short staffed for the future, being another one down in the parish means that it will be a real struggle to continue running all the services at the five churches. I hope that they do get a replacement team rector quickly after he leaves.”

Blackburn diocese said: “When every parish becomes vacant we look again at our Pastoral plans, and enter into conversation with the parishes and the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee. With the current vacancies it is the right time to have a serious look at the staffing of the Colne and Villages parishes.

“We are most thankful for Tony's leadership as team rector and area dean.”

Rev Tony Rindl, who has worked in Colne for 10 years, said: "The opportunity came up for me in Watford and the time just seemed right with the amount of change already happening in the parish.

“Once I have left, they will be looking to replace me. The new team rector will then be lucky enough to choose new members of their team.

”I have really enjoyed my time in Colne and will miss the parishioners who have made me very welcome here.”