November 30, 2011

Dear Friend of St. Paul’s,

As we reach out with this year-end mailing to our supporters here in the United States, we are mindful that this may be St. Paul’s Cathedral’s most challenging year since World War Two.

As widely reported in the media, the pressure caused by the “Occupy the London Stock Exchange” protesters camped on the cathedral grounds has led to the resignation of two of its clergy, most notably, Dean Knowles.

Fortunately, the beloved annual Thanksgiving Day service did take place as usual, with a packed Cathedral and the presence of the US Ambassador and his wife, and this last week-end saw the Cathedral packed for the Advent Carol Services.  The Chapter is united and remains confident of the future of the cathedral and its varied ministries.

None the less, the ongoing “occupation” is exacting a mounting toll, siphoning both human and financial resources.  This is particularly ironic since St. Paul’s has long been a strong advocate for honest and vigorous public debate regarding the ethical dimensions of our capitalist economic system.  The Residentiary Canons are meeting regularly with representatives of the protesters.  Their hope is to encourage them to use other means to express their concerns, not least through the Cathedral’s Institute and its regular programs of ethical debates.

Your vote of support for St. Paul’s with a generous year-end gift to the St. Paul’s Cathedral Trust in America would be most timely and appreciated.

With thanks for your kind consideration, and best wishes for a joyous Christmas season,

Sincerely, 

                     John C. Harvey                           Mark H. Hansen