Dean “not worried’ by petition

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32797, 23 December 1971, Page 14

Dean “not worried’ by petition

(By

GARRY ARTHUR,

London correspondent of

"The Press")

LONDON, December 21

The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan) is not a bit impressed bj’ a petition signed by 88 of his fellow churchmen expressing “no confidence” in him and in his Cathedral Chapter.

The signatories—members of the 400-strong London Diocesan Synod—condemned the use of the Cathedral for the celebration of the third anniversary of the musical "Hair”. Members of the cast took part in services. They consider the musical to be both pornographic and blasphemous. “Their petition has no force whatsoever,” said the Dean yesterday.

“Who are they going to present it to? It can only come to us and we haven't

seen it yet. We are not like a New Zealand cathedral you know. We are appointed by the Crown. The Dean and Chapter can’t be moved. They are not responsible to the Synod.”

He said that the petition was a “damp squip”. The synod members were protesting at the third anniversary of “Hair,” but they had circulated their petition before reading his letter to "The Times” on Monday. In the letter he explained the events leading up to the communion services and the reasons for the decision to go ahead. He also said that he had never addressed a more receptive congregation than the one he had addressed at that service.

Dean Sullivan said today that thousands of people hsd approved of his actions. “I have had good letters from the clergy and there have been no protests from any of the 42 Bishops. If you said to me that all the leaders of the church have been upset by it we would have to take some notice, but there is no sign of this,” said the Dean.

"I’m not worried about it. anyway.”