The story about the Rev Andy Thewlis appeared on page 3 of Monday’s Daily Mail under the headline ‘To Hell with you!’.
Mr Thewlis was the St John Rector for 21 years between 1995 and last year.
The newspaper report stated that the vicar had written a 1,200-word letter to his congregation complaining of a daily tide of ‘grumbling and disunity’ among ‘critical and negative’ members of All Saints Church in Burbage, Wiltshire, where he moved after leaving the Island.
The letter written by Mr Thewlis was reported to have said: ‘Some people through their actions are actively sabotaging the ministry of their vicar and their church.
‘The arrogance of some church members through their emails and conversations on an almost daily basis is wearisome. It drains energy, robs enthusiasm and reveals that some, we are told, would prefer not to have a vicar.’
It was further reported that he had apologised for the letter which had caused ‘shock waves’ in the small rural community and that he was now leaving the post with his wife, Sarah-Jane.
When contacted by the JEP, Mr Thewlis said that it was ‘not appropriate for him to comment at this time’ and provided the contact details for a spokesman for the diocese of Salisbury.
The spokesman released a statement saying: ‘Upon being made aware of the letter sent to church members at Burbage, the Bishop of Salisbury met with the Rev 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.
‘The Bishop has also offered Mr Thewlis pastoral support including sabbatical time to consider his future and he has accepted this.’
Former St John Constable Phil Rondel said that he did not recognise the picture of Mr Thewlis painted by the Daily Mail article.
‘He was always a proper gentlemen and would never had done that here,’ said Mr Rondel. ‘He always appeared to be very friendly to everyone, no matter who you were. He would do what he could to help you. He was a good vicar.’
