OXFORD - 23 October 2007 - 320 words
Oxford: Capuchin Friars to leave Greyfriars Hall
The Capuchin Friars and Oxford University issued the following statements this morning, following the decision of the Friars to leave Greyfriars Hall, one of the permananent private halls of Oxford.
The Capuchin Franciscan Order in the United Kingdom is in the process of conducting a comprehensive review of its presences and ministries.
This review has included our various ministries in Oxford, including Greyfriars Hall.
Our review of the Hall was completed well in advance of the recent University Review of the Permanent Private Halls. We have had to consider the implications of the reduced number of Friars available to be involved in the work of the Hall and also, as with every area of our ministry, future financial obligations. We had anticipated most of the points raised by the University in its Review, which has confirmed our conclusion that the level of investment required if the Hall were to continue, both in personnel and finance, would be unsustainable for our Province.
Friary is an old building and in order to comply with current legislation substantial investment is required. Because there are fewer Friars available to staff the Hall, more lay staff have had to be recruited, and this would increase in the future. The Hall is already highly subsidised by the Capuchins and if we were to continue with this increasing financial burden, it would be to the detriment of other areas of our ministry in the United Kingdom. It therefore became apparent during the course of our review that there was no long-term future for Greyfriars Hall as a ministry of our Province.
For these reasons, and with the full cooperation and support of the University of Oxford, the Trustees have concluded that our ministry at Greyfriars Hall cannot continue. It will cease at the end of the current academic year, when Greyfriars will relinquish the status of a Permanent Private Hall.
With the assistance of the University, all students will be transferred to Regents Park College with effect from the academic year 2008/2009. The University has transferred student applications to Greyfriars for 2008/2009 to Regents Park College. Together with the University, we are in discussion with Regents Park College over teaching posts. We cannot yet confirm final arrangements but it is hoped that some of our teaching staff may be utilised by Regents Park College. Greyfriars Hall has no full time academic staff.
The Capuchins will remain at Greyfriars in Oxford, where we are committed to the parish, to the work of training our younger brothers and to other ministries flowing from our charism as Capuchin Lesser Brothers.
Our main concern throughout has been the welfare of our students. With the help and support of the University, arrangements have been made to ensure that they will be able to continue their degree courses with the minimum of disruption. We are grateful to the University and College authorities who have made this possible.
We are very sad that we have had to come to this decision, since we have always entirely depended on the good will of our Fellows and staff. They have shown outstanding dedication to the life of Greyfriars and are of the highest academic standard, which befits a Permanent Private Hall of Oxford. University. The outstanding academic achievement of our students is a tribute to the Fellows, staff and students alike.
Brother James Boner
Provincial Minister
A University spokesperson said: "The University of Oxford is bound by the decision of the Capuchin Franciscan Order that their ministry at Greyfriars cannot continue after the end of this academic year.
"We regret the loss of Greyfriars as a Permanent Private Hall, but respect the Order's decision.
"Our priority is to ensure that the right academic and welfare support is in place for those students whose courses continue after the end of this academic year. Since it was notified of the decision by the Order, the University has been working with Regent's Park College the largest of the other Permanent Private Halls over the transfer of Greyfriars students to Regent's Park. All students at Greyfriars who will be on a course in 2008-09 will transfer.
"Anybody applying to Greyfriars this autumn for a place in 2008-09 will (with their permission) have their application re-routed to Regent's Park. These applicants will not be disadvantaged in the selection process.
"For two years after the transfer of students, Greyfriars will keep in operation its student accommodation.
"Permanent Private Halls have a valued role in University life. A recent review of the Permanent Private Halls sought, amongst other things, to clarify their workings and role for the wider University. The Capuchin Franciscans have made it clear that their decision to close Greyfriars was not a response to this review.,
"Dr Rob Ellis, Principal of Regent's Park, said: Regent,s Park College is pleased to welcome the continuing students of Greyfriars into its community and wants to assure them of a warm welcome. We are a small but vibrant community in the heart of the city, playing a full role in the life of the university, and we look forward to these transferring students joining us and adding to the already diverse student body and enriching our academic, social, sporting and cultural life.
"In the next week or two various events will be staged to encourage Greyfriars, students to begin to get a feel for life at Regent's Park, and to begin to get to know us, and we them.
Source: Oxford University. Barry Hudd, Communications Officer for OFM Capuchin tel: 07770 538693
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