TWO senior churchmen at the centre of a dispute that has plunged Lincoln Cathedral into crisis haven't been asked to resign by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Dr George Carey has called on the cathedral's dean, the Very Rev Dr Brandon Jackson, and subdean, Canon Rex Davis, to step down in an effort to end a long running wrangle. The move comes five months after senior clergy in Lincoln called on him to step in to resolve the long running controversy.
Problems started in 1989 when Dr Jackson was appointed dean by Downing Street after an exhibition of the cathedral's Magna Carta in Australia lost £56,000. He antagonised many members of staff by asking the Fraud Squad to investigate the cathedral's affairs.
Cathedral staff later passed a vote of no confidence in the dean.
Matters worsened a year ago when Dr Jackson (61) was accused of sexual misconduct with a former cathedral verger, Ms Verity Freestone (31). A consistory court cleared Dr Jackson of the allegations and he then accused the bishop of being part of a "conspiracy to force him from office".
Church leaders are understood to feel that the only solution is for both men to leave. However, as they were appointed by the crown they cannot be forced to leave. And it is understood that Canon Davis has already told the archbishop that he has no intention of resigning.
Neither Dr Jackson nor Canon Davis was available for comment.
About 30 canons met the dean in February and overwhelmingly approved a resolution asking Dr Carey to take decisive action. He sent two senior churchmen to investigate the crisis and talk to all sides involved in the dispute late last year.
The archbishop said in a statement that he was "profoundly saddened" by the damage done to the church as a result of the "painful and prolonged problem" at Lincoln.
"I have concluded that the central problem which obstructs a satisfactory way forward is an irreconcilable personal conflict between dean and subdean.
"I have personally seen them and put it to them both that for the greater good of the cathedral and the wider church they should leave," he added.
The Bishop of Lincoln, the Right Rev Robert Hardy, said he shared Dr Carey's concern and frustration.