Bishop Stop the Bullying!

My main reservation in signing the petition was the inclusion of the Archdeacon in the indictment. As the Bishop's principal assistant I presume that he must execute the wishes of his senior officer - or resign. However, having read the comments of Haydn Rawstrom, with which I wholeheartedly agree, I know that I should support the justified complaints of so many people whose opinions I very much respect. We should remember that this is yet another public protest which follows the one in 2013 in support of that fine clergyman, the Reverend Robert Ferguson. This causes me great concern about the condition of the Anglican Church on the Island.

Well from dis petition...it clarifies dt bravery is all outcome of a sophisticated life... Neither defeat nor victory...they r dual faces of a single coin..so all efforts came from bravery... I had found in dis petition...be bold n be brave....:)

It is with a sad heart that I feel obligated to sign this petition. Canon Gomes has been an encouragement to my family and a constant source of excellent, solid Christian biblical advice both from the pulpit and through personal communication. I consider his input on the island to be one whose heart is to seek lost souls and encourage those people who do not know Jesus to find faith. He also ensures that those under his ministry learn new levels of biblical understanding in a manner that I have saw few possess and is never afraid of allowing debate of his theories, always showing a mutual respect and a heart for furthering God's kingdom in the individual. His constantly growing congregation is a witness to his good works, and in a Diocese that as a whole appears to see little growth, this is why I am struggling to understand how such a 'light in darkness' is being attacked by his own brothers and sisters in Christ. Please read the scripture below. I firmly believe in Jules Gomes and have witnessed his mission as commanded by Jesus on this island. Matthew 28:18-20King James Version (KJV) 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Bishop's accusations are completely irrational and completely unfair and have to be stopped.

Yes I believe n agree this is true..!

V shouldn't have politics in Religion , VR supposed to show 'love ' of Jesus & evangelize so as to get other's into Jesus' fold !

Trust always counts..!!

justice always wins ..!!

Fr Jules is doing his job, and enjoys it too. Stop the bullying, before it is a ruin to a great ministry.

I support the sentiments expressed in this petition and trust that due regard will be given to their observations

I am so very sad that the lovely man Dr Jules Gomes is suffering under the hands of a person(s) who should be doing everything he can to support him in his exceptional ability to unite and encourage church attendance. I can't bring myself to call Robert Paterson anything other than a bully.

This matter is now URGENT ! The worry and anxiety that the Bishop 's actions have caused are now affecting the good health of Canon Jules Gomez. Please take action immediately !

The petition text is blunt, bald and rather bold. For 5 days I have wrestled with it, drafted possible alternative petition ideas based on a desire to see a de-spiralling of the conflict between Bishop Paterson and Canon Gomes and a peaceful way forward. I have sought to find someone who will take the Bishop's side, but have so far found no-one and, it seems, the more I ask, the more widespread seems to be the disaffection in which Sodor and Man's episcopacy is held. I sign this petition, sad of heart, not because I am reluctant to support Jules Gomes, but sad that I can find no valid reason not to sign. Jules Gomes is a brilliant priest. He is clearly among the very best on the Isle, a star preacher and a star communicator. His achievements in the parish of Castletown are well-known and widely admired. His attention to pastoral and cultural detail is of the highest order, be it his respect for children and how they may have a fulfilling role to play in the service, be it in his care for parishioners of all ages, be it his care for the best possible music, be it his attention to ritual detail. How can any bishop fail keenly to support such a star, nor such charisma, upon which the Anglican Church everywhere most surely depends. That a star performer should feel so abandoned by his bishop speaks volumes.

Why does the established church desire to silence the preaching of the Word of God?

Such behaviour is often linked to the sub-Christian attribute of Jealousy based on congregational pulling power!

The Bishop has not listened to the people of the Isle of Man. He was given fair warning by many people (and me in my letter to the Examiner newspaper in 2013) of the consequences of his bulldozing and bullying style of administration. Such actions as stifling the Old Testament Bible Study at St John's Mill where Dr Gomes was leading the most inspiring and thought-provoking lectures, giving us all an insight and understanding of the background underpinning our Christian faith. It was a fantastic educational opportunity which we accepted and appreciated. Where else in the UK could you find an Old Testament Bible Study attended by 80-100 people coming from all parts of the island, every Friday night, in the middle of winter? Rather than encourage this activity the Bishop made every effort to stifle and suffocate Dr Gomes' public island-wide ministry. So the lectures stopped. The time has come for some action to be taken.

When more than one credible voice alleges the same thing, there has got to be some truth in the allegations. Bullying - whether it is overt or covert - must stop.

justice always wins!

Fully support the comments from Roger Rawcliffe. As regards the parish of Castletown, we have a Vicar of exceptional quality, supported by a wonderful congregation of all ages. The Revd. Jules inspires us with glorious sermons (I have heard ‘greats’ in my time – Stockwood, Montefiore and, 65 years ago, J.B. Phillips, but Jules surpasses them all); brilliant initiatives for the Church’s musical life; an excellent and enjoyable structure for his Services; and marvellous ideas such as the Christmas lunches. All of this would have redounded to the credit of the Diocese (and its Bishop), if Jules was left simply to pursue his work as Vicar (and Canon Theologian)! Instead, as the Petition emphasises, he (and others also known to me) suffer as described here. As one who numbers six Church of England parsons among my forbears, and at a time when the Church of England is in crisis and all should be pulling together, I am at a loss to understand why the micro-managing bishop pursues this course that can only harm the reputation and standing of the Diocese.

I remember the first sermon I heard the Revd Jules Gomes give at St Mary’s, Castletown. It was a revelation! He has maintained this high standard in all his subsequent sermons. His knowledge of the Bible is phenomenal. Not only is he a true scholar but he has the ability to transmit his message to all ages of the congregation. He has a large number of children and youngsters who take a full part in the Services. It is inconceivable that any right-minded person, let alone the hierarchy of the Church, should find fault with such an excellent man.