Gay everend exonerated

THE Rev Jonathan Bower, the former openly gay rector at St Mary's Scottish Episcopal church in Broughty Ferry, below, has been exonerated by the Church following allegations about the "parlous" state of the church's finances and his "dictatorial" ministry.

Mr Bower quit his charge on February after members of the vestry, the equivalent of a kirk session, circulated a pamphlet accusing Mr Bower of having an "obsession with total control" and branding one member of the vestry as a "flesh-eating virus".

But the Rev Robert Gillies, the acting Bishop of Brechin, has now sent a letter to members of the congregation, stating that Mr Bower has been completely exonerated following an investigation. Mr Gillies said he hoped his statement would bring to an end a "very painful episode" in the history of the church.

The letter states: "I acknowledge that during 2010 the Rev Jonathan Bower received treatment at St Mary's Broughty Ferry that was not in keeping with the procedures and processes of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

"I affirm that no financial mismanagement was caused or instigated by the Rev Bower during his time in office as rector of St Mary's, and further that as incumbent, he had no powers of office to authorise or prevent particular expenditure."