Police called in row between villagers and rector

Disagreements at the church have occurred following the appointment in 2022 of Rev Dr Janine Arnott at St Oswald's in Malpas

Churchgoers in a Cheshire village have been revolting in a row over their rector which has culminated in the police being called in.

Reverend Janine Arnott was appointed to St Oswald's, in Malpas, near Whitchurch, in 2022. Some church members have since raised concerns about decisions over prayers and readings and the treatment of some parishioners.

Flyers have been stuck to Chester Cathedral in an attempt to get the bishop to intervene, but his response has been labelled "un-Christian" by one resident and former choir member Liane Smith.

The Diocese of Chester said in a statement the bishop had engaged with concerns through the proper channels.

Ms Smith, who has been in the congregation for 10 years, most of that time in the choir with her husband, said Dr Arnott "did a great job when she started".

"It seems from the start of 2023, she decided things needed to change, as if sort of 'well, I've done it their way for six months and things need to change now'."

It started with apparent disagreements about the choir when the rector asked them to stop singing for two weeks, Ms Smith said.

Liane Smith said there had been "quite a massive dismantling of a successful church community"

Then there were disagreements about prayers and readings, with the bell ringers stopping over allegations about the way the rector was treating some people, causing some to leave.

"It's quite a massive dismantling of a successful church community," she said.

Ms Smith said she had been asked to step down from the choir after criticising the rector's leadership style, which she described as "authoritarian", and attempting to publish the minutes of a church council meeting.

Leaflets have since been stuck to the cathedral urging intervention from the bishop.

Bishop Mark Tanner responded in a letter, the Whitchurch Herald reported, which stated the leaflets were factually incorrect and libellous and some of those opposed to the rector were guilty of unlawful and inexcusable harassment.

Ms Smith said his response was "un-Christian".

"It's un-Christian to, at this stage, when everybody's been trying to knock on his door and tell him to turn around and say 'now you're going to be responsible for the fact there's no money in the church, you're responsible for the fact that I've had to call the police'," she said.

The Diocese of Chester said the bishop had limited scope to intervene directly in parish matters but had consistently offered support and guidance throughout the situation and encouraged people to "remain in conversation".

"Whilst it would not be right to comment publicly on personal pastoral matters, wherever the diocese is aware of matters which require response, appropriate action is taken involving other authorities where necessary."

Cheshire Police said the force had received reports of harassment related to a Church in Malpas, including reports of flyers being glued to the cathedral, and inquiries were continuing.

Some people have left the church, Ms Smith said