As men of God, vicars are often telling their parishioners to turn the other cheek.
But one reverend rather struggled to follow the example – and has now been forced to take three months off after he accused some of his congregation of being ‘arrogant gossips’.
In a 1,200-word letter, Andy Thewlis complained of a daily tide of ‘grumbling and disunity’ among ‘critical and negative’ members of All Saints Church had robbed him of enthusiasm for the job.
He and his wife Sarah-Jane are now looking to move from the church in Burbage, Wiltshire, after only a year in the post – claiming they are not prepared to sacrifice their health and marriage for it.
‘Seeking God’s guidance’: The Reverend Andy Thewlis pictured with his wife Sarah-Jane
The accusations caused shockwaves when the letter was sent out to church members three weeks ago, and Mr Thewlis was summoned to see the Bishop of Salisbury.
He then apologised for his ‘inappropriate’ letter in a second note posted to his congregation, and said he would take a three-month sabbatical while he looks to move to another ministry.
Mr Thewlis came to Wiltshire in October last year after 21 years of working at a church on Jersey.
In his bombshell letter, dated November 16, he said claims that All Saints was a ‘charismatic evangelical church’ couldn’t be further from the truth – and that all his hopes for the new job had been ‘lost’.
A church divided: Mr Thewlis has spent just a year at All Saints Church in Wiltshire
He continued: ‘The Sunday morning worship experience is neither warm, nor welcoming. Rather it reflects an organisation that is characterised by grumbling, gossip, and disunity. Criticism and negativism are predominant behaviour traits in too many church members.
‘Some people through their actions are actively sabotaging the ministry of their vicar and their church.
In his dog collar: Vicar Mr Thewlis
‘The arrogance of some church members through emails and conversations on an almost daily basis is wearisome. It drains energy, robs enthusiasm, and reveals that some, as we were told, would prefer not to have a vicar.’
He added: ‘We are not prepared to sacrifice our health or our marriage for a local church in which internal politics and unnecessary power games cause such hurt and division.’
But just a week after sending the letter, Mr Thewlis was hauled before the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Rev Nick Holtam.
Then, in a second note dated November 28, Mr Thewlis said: ‘I recognise that the letter was inappropriate and came as a shock.
‘I should not have sent it to all church members nor should I have named individuals within it. I apologise unreservedly for the upset and hurt it has caused.
‘Following a constructive meeting on Friday November 24, the Bishop of Salisbury is offering pastoral care to Sarah-Jane and myself and has given me a three-month sabbatical break to allow time for prayer and further reflection. I shall be seeking God’s guidance in relation to moving on to a new ministry opportunity.’
A spokesman for the Diocese of Salisbury said: ‘Upon being made aware of the letter sent to church members at Burbage, the Bishop of Salisbury met with the Revd Thewlis at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Thewlis has now written a letter of apology to those who received his letter, which was inappropriate in both tenor and content.’ Mr Thewlis declined to comment yesterday.