'Dictatorial' row clergyman quits

THE Scottish Episcopal church has been rocked by the resignation of an openly gay minister at the centre of an investigation into the "parlous" state of his church's finances and allegations of his "dictatorial" ministry.

The Rev Jonathan Bower, rector of St Mary's Episcopal Church in Broughty Ferry, has quit for a new and unspecified post. But it has now been revealed that four months ago the majority of the members of his vestry, the equivalent of a kirk session, circulated a pamphlet containing a damning indictment of his two "poisoned" years in the pulpit at the Dundee church.

He was accused in the pamphlet of having an "obsession with total control" and branding one member of the vestry as a "flesh eating virus".

The rector, in turn, has condemned his critics for their "continued personal attacks on his sexuality" and one parishioner has branded their actions "homophobic."

Dr Steve Woodward, a retired physician and vestry member who left St Mary's because of the dispute with Mr Bower, said yesterday that the departure would hopefully help the "healing process" to begin within the divided congregation.

The Episcopal Church said: "There have been no disciplinary proceedings raised against Mr Bower and he has resigned on his own initiative, having sought a position elsewhere. "

Mr Bower could not be contacted for comment.