Bishop of Winchester resigns after unprecedented no-confidence motion sparked by financial crisis and sacking of more than 20 vicars and staff
- Dr Tim Dakin said he would be handing over his responsibilities before retiring
- He had been accused of ‘poor behaviour and mistreatment’ of clergy and staff
- Calls for him to go sparked by financial crisis and sacking of more than 20 clergy
The Bishop of Winchester has resigned after an unprecedented rebellion which led clergy and worshippers tabling a no confidence motion against him.
Dr Tim Dakin said in a statement that he would be handing over his responsibilities before officially retiring in February. He has been in his post since 2011.
In June, clergy and worshippers accused the Right Rev Tim Dakin of ‘poor behaviour and mistreatment’ as he became the first bishop in history to face a no confidence motion.
The calls for him to go were sparked by a financial crisis and the sacking of more than 20 clergy and other staff.
The Bishop of Winchester Dr Tim Dakin has resigned after an unprecedented rebellion which led clergy and worshippers tabling a no confidence motion against him
In a message sent in May, it was announced that Bishop Dakin would be stopping his duties for an initial period of six weeks to ‘focus on discussions about future leadership and governance reform in the diocese’.
But in a video message released today, he confirmed he would be stepping away permanently.
‘The painfully difficult financial decisions made over the last year have caused real anguish,’ he said.
‘In trying to secure a sustainable future for the growth of the Diocese, it is clear that I’ve not done enough to acknowledge what we have lost in this process.
‘To those I’ve hurt or let down, I am sorry.’
Staff who left their roles under Bishop Dakin’s direction were required to sign legally binding ‘confidentiality clauses’ which banned them from making ‘adverse or derogatory comments’ about him or the diocese.
He said in a statement that he would be handing over his responsibilities before officially retiring in February. He has been in his post since 2011. In June, clergy and worshippers accused the Right Rev Tim Dakin of ‘poor behaviour and mistreatment’ as he became the first bishop in history to face a no confidence motion. Above: Winchester Cathedral
Bishop Dakin holds one of only five senior roles in the Church of England which are automatically given a seat in the House of Lords.
He is the fifth most senior bishop in the church after the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of London Sarah Mullally and Bishop of Durham Paul Butler.
One critic of Bishop Dakin had previously branded Winchester the ‘North Korean diocese’ because of the allegedly autocratic style imposed there.
Bishop Dakin is the most senior bishop in the church after the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (pictured) and his counterpart in York, Stephen Cottrell
The no-confidence motion which was tabled against him said the Church nationally was committed to ‘fostering a culture that is open and transparent’.
It added: ‘We do not have confidence in the diocesan bishop to set this culture or to lead by example, due to allegations of poor behaviour and mistreatment on his part of a number of individuals.’
It also alleged that since his appointment, the ‘governance and financial management’ of his diocese had become ‘unfit for purpose’.
The Bishop of Southampton, Debbie Sellin, will continue to fulfil the bishop’s duties until he officially retires next year.