News Release

30th January 2007

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL'S EXPERIENCE

In a brief debate on Church issues in the House of Commons on Monday (29th January), Michael Fabricant said that Lichfield Cathedral's experience in staging musical and other events should be shared with clergy in other parts of the country. The extract from Hansard is shown below:-

Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): What advice is given by the commissioners to cathedral chapters on programmes to encourage non-worshippers to use cathedral spaces. The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Stuart Bell): As the hon. Gentleman knows, such programmes are arranged locally, but the commissioners are aware that there are all kinds of initiatives to encourage as many people as possible to visit our cathedrals and appreciate their special significance. Michael Fabricant: My hon. Friend has been, at my invitation, to the Lichfield festival of the arts, which is held mainly in Lichfield cathedral. I know that he has also been to a number of other non-worshipping events in the cathedral. He says, rightly, that it is up to local communities to decide what they can do, but can there not be a sharing of knowledge between cathedrals and churches about their activities? Are not the Church Commissioners the ideal fountain to pool such information and disseminate it to all bodies? Sir Stuart Bell: I am grateful for that excellent suggestion. I agree that there ought to be a body to co-ordinate the work of the cathedral chapters, provide a benchmark and pass on information. As the hon. Gentleman said, I have visited Lichfield. I know that it has many visitors, and that some may participate in worship and some may not. The fact that people visit at all is greatly encouraging, and if they do worship in the Christian faith, so much the better.