The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, has refused to grant Permission to Officiate (PTO) to a retired priest, facing trial for criminal damage during a climate protest.

PTO is the authorisation for retired or non-stipendiary clergy to continue performing duties like leading services, preaching, and conducting weddings or funerals.

Revd Sue Parfitt, 82 is accused of damaging the protective glass surrounding the Magna Carta at the British Library in May 2024.

Magna Carta outlined basic rights with the principle that no one was above the law.

Alongside a fellow activist, she allegedly broke the glass around the historic document, and glued themselves to the display, holding a sign that read: "The Government is breaking the law."

Although she described the Bishop’s decision as “painful,” Parfitt told the Church Times that her greater concern is exposing the truth of the climate crisis and standing against “powerful forces”, including the Church, which appears to be suppressing the issue.

Parfitt recently applied for a new PTO and has not held one in the Diocese of Bristol since 31th December 2022.

Parfitt had applied for a new PTO after her previous one expired on 31st December 2022.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Bristol said the decision to withhold PTO is based on the fact that Parfitt is currently facing criminal charges “in ongoing court proceedings.”

“The Diocese recognises everyone’s legal right to protest. We support the call for more urgent action to combat the environmental crisis and advocate for the changes in peaceful and lawful ways.”