An unholy row

Bishop slams 'libellous' claims by villagers about rector

- By Chris Riches

THE Bishop of Chester is praying for divine intervention after “libellous” flyers about one of his parish priests were glued to the cathedral.

Right Rev Mark Tanner, inset, has been drawn into hostilities surrounding St Oswald’s Church in Malpas and the police called in.

Rev Dr Janine Arnott arrived as rector in 2022 but lost a vote of confidence the following year when some church council members called her “authoritarian”. She responded that she was “trying to run the church calmly in the face of strong opposition”.