Bangor Cathedral Choir Suspended After Mid-Service Protest Over Redundancy Fears

Bangor Cathedral in Wales suspended all choir activities for a month after its 20-member choir staged a walkout during Holy Communion, singing a protest hymn titled 'Canticle of Indignation' in response to looming staff redundancies. The protest occurred while priests were distributing wafers and wine, shocking worshippers and leading to significant disruption during the sacred part of the service. The Chapter, the cathedral's governing body, condemned the choir's actions as inappropriate but acknowledged the cathedral's severe financial difficulties, including a projected operational deficit of £300,000 and the risk of bankruptcy by the end of 2026. Proposed cost-cutting measures include potential redundancies for five out of eight permanent staff and reducing the working hours of the Director of Music, Joe Cooper, who expressed concern about the future of his role. The choir's protest followed a turbulent period for the cathedral, which has faced scandals such as alleged sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement, adding to institutional strain. The Chapter has called for urgent action to address financial challenges and intends to use the suspension period to open dialogue with the choir and consider next steps.