Dr Jules Gomez, the vicar of St Mary's on the Harbour in Castletown, says his parishioner Rosalind Taisia started the petition - which is now being circulated by supporters.

In July he presented a petition for redress of grievance to Tynwald over bullying and clergy employment rights.

Dr Gomez explains says the online petition will eventually be handed to the Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood:

Lord Bishop Robert Paterson is off-Island and unavailable for interview at present, but says neither the Archbishop of Canterbury or York supports the petition.

*****

Online petition calls for Isle of Man's Bishop and Archdeacon to resign

By John Turner
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news
September 16, 2015

An online petition alleging bullying and flawed leadership is calling for the resignation of the island's bishop Robert Paterson and archdeacon Andrew Brown.

The petition, addressed to the island's Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood, has been live for just over a week and by yesterday (Tuesday) had attracted 185 signatories.

It alleges 'flawed leadership' from Bishop Robert and 'to a lesser extent' Archdeacon Brown and claims severe damage is being done to the diocese of Sodor and Mann.

The petition continues: 'This is evidenced principally but by no means entirely in their prolonged bullying and attemts to intimidate individual members of the clergy. We seek the cessation of the abuse and ask that steps be taken to persuade the bishop and archdeacon to resign their positions.'

It also states the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are aware of 'the situation' and will receive copies of the petition.

Describing the petition calling for his resignation as a direct attack on him, Bishop Robert told the Examiner the only factual comment he could make at this stage was that he knew the petition was not supported by the Archbishops of Canterbury or York.

'I can assure readers we have been in regular correspondence about what is going on and they do not support this petition,' he said.

Beyond that, he said there was little to say on the matter.

He said:'I don't really have any comment to make. I think people really need to decide if they can trust the initiator or a bishop they have known for seven-and-a-half years. It's one or two people raising a petition against me. No doubt some people don't like me -- that's may be true of many bishops -- but I hope some do like me.'

Signatories to the petition so far include former speaker of the House of Keys, David Cannan, and former Lieutenant Governor Sir Laurence New, as well as former Police Complaints Commissioner Rosemary Penn.

Among the comments included on the petition, is one from former lecturer at the Centre for Manx Studies and former trustee of Manx National Heritage Roger Rawcliffe.

He writes: 'The situation is dire; quite apart from the bullying treatment of two of our best clergy, he has surrounded himself, at some expense, with administrators who think like him; it is difficult for me to discern his pastoral qualities, a prerequisite for a bishop. I have written to him at length to express my disquiet.'

And Jessica Patterson accuses Bishop Robert of bullying those with differing opinions, adding: 'He should be made to resign his post and leave the island.'

At this July's Tynwald, Reverend Canon Dr Jules Gomes brought two petitions of doleance. One calls for a select committee to examine employment rights of clergy arguing 'insufficient' protection against bullying and harassment in the workplace. The other calls for investigation into ways of improving legal protection against racial harassment and acts of racial hatred.

The petition does not claim to be in support of Dr Gomes, but a number of signatories made the link by voicing strong support for him.

Terence J Brack described The Reverend Gomes as a vicar of exceptional quality, supported by a wonderful congregation of all ages, but claims instead of being left to do his job, Dr Gomes 'suffers as described here'.

He continues: 'At a time when the Church of England is in crisis and all should be pulling together, I am at a loss to understand why the micro-managing bishop pursues this course that can only harm the reputation and standing of the Diocese.'