A cathedral choir has been suspended after it performed an “entirely inappropriate” piece protesting about job losses during holy communion.
Bangor Cathedral, which was criticised earlier this year over a culture of excessive drinking, sexual promiscuity and inappropriate banter, said it had “paused all choir activity” for a month after the incident. It also said that Joe Cooper, the cathedral’s director of music, was “currently away from his duties”.
The choir sang a specially composed “Canticle of Indignation” as clergy distributed wafers and wine during communion. At the end of the piece, the choir silently walked out.
The canticle’s lyrics included “Lord, how long shall the ungodly triumph?” and “How long shall all wicked doers speak so disdainfully?”
Simon Ogdon, its author, wrote on Facebook that he was “honoured to be in the same position as #banksy in having my art publicly censured”. He added: “There is a long history of protest through art, even through church music … and I am proud to be part of that. One of the clearest signs of tyranny is its desire to silence dissent and opposition, and that can never be tolerated.”
The protest was staged after the cathedral announced that five out of eight members of staff were at risk of redundancy due to financial pressures. The music director’s hours were to be reduced, it said.
Earlier this year, an inspection of the cathedral uncovered “weak financial controls, unclear reporting lines, and spending decisions that were insufficiently scrutinised”.
In a statement announcing the choir’s suspension, the cathedral said: “Bangor Cathedral is experiencing a significant shortfall between expenditure and income. This has far outstripped any increased income, resulting in a financial deficit that, if unaddressed, will place pressure on our reserves.”
Its projected operational deficit at the end of 2025 was £300,000, it added. “This puts an unsustainable stress on reserves, which would lead to bankruptcy by the end of 2026.”
It understood that it was an “unsettling time” for the cathedral community, with “strong feelings and anxiety”. But, it said, the circumstances “require us all to pull together, for the sake of the gospel and the future life and health of our cathedral”.
In June, Andy John stepped down as archbishop of Wales after a series of scandals at Bangor Cathedral were uncovered. Although there was no suggestion that John had behaved inappropriately, he said he took full responsibility for failings under his leadership.
He resigned after a review by ThirtyOne: Eight, a Christian safeguarding agency, heard accounts of excessive alcohol consumption, inappropriate language and humiliating banter and a “culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred, and to some … promiscuity was acceptable”. Homophobic comments and an “unhappy working environment” were also reported.
A separate report from a cathedral “visitation” team recommended the appointment of “strong leadership” to “steady the ship”, improved scrutiny of governance and finances, and discouraging unkind and inappropriate private communications.
In addition, six “serious incident reports” were sent to the Charity Commission, four relating to safeguarding and two relating to financial matters.
Financial irregularities reportedly included more than £400,000 being spent on new furnishings for the cathedral with inadequate consultation, and £20,000 spent on trips to Rome and Dublin for senior staff.
