The Bishop of Fulham, Rt Rev Jonathan Baker, has issued a heartfelt apology for his unexpected interruption of a church concert, where he appeared in his dressing gown and told the choir to “leave his house”. The incident, which occurred at St Andrews’ Church in Holborn, central London, left the 300-strong audience and the City Academy Voices choir in shock. The bishop’s remarks, made at around 10 pm, were deemed “unkind” and “disparaging” by attendees, who had been enjoying the concert.
In his apology letter, Bishop Baker acknowledged that he shouldn’t have made the remarks and hadn’t realized the church had been booked until 11 pm. He expressed regret for the distress and offense caused, particularly to the performers who were unable to finish their show. The bishop assured the choir that they are welcome to continue performing at the church and hopes to maintain a good relationship with them. He also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the choir, saying that their performance deserved respect.
The choir, while upset that they were unable to finish their show as planned, has chosen not to hold any hard feelings and wishes the bishop well. In a statement, they even jokingly mentioned that dressing gowns are optional for their rehearsals. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and respect, particularly in positions of authority. Bishop Baker’s apology is a step towards healing any hurt caused and rebuilding trust with the choir and the community.
