A SENIOR churchman at Ripon Cathedral has accused its congregation of plunging the building into financial peril.

Canon Michael Glanville-Smith claims that many who worship at the cathedral are failing to give any financial support, which could seriously affect the future of the historic building.

In the latest edition of the cathedral magazine, Canon Glanville-Smith accuses the largely middle-class congregation of failing to dip their hands in their pockets during collections, which has contributed to the financial crisis.

It has been rumoured that members of the congregation on average give about £1 each week in donations.

Canon Glanville-Smith, who is chairman of the cathedral's parochial church council, but who was unavailable for comment yesterday, said in the magazine that the lack of financial support was now threatening every aspect of the running of the cathedral.

He states: "We must look ourselves in the face and recognise that our giving per member at the cathedral is less than half that given in the parishes of the diocese.

"Some of the most needy parishes respond to the challenge to pay their way with a greater degree of self-sacrifice and faith than perhaps we have shown - despite all the privileges and benefits we enjoy in this life and ministry of the cathedral."

He also said that at the past few meetings of the parochial church council, the major issue discussed was the financial crisis the cathedral was in, and that most of the congregation was likely to be aware of the problem.

In his piece, he adds: "I feel the situation to be such that I would be failing the community if I did not urge each member of the congregation to consider how he or she can take personal responsibility for a share of this problem."

He added that the crisis could only deepen and affect the work the church is doing.

This latest crisis follows a controversial row over the "autocratic" conduct of Dean John Methuen, who is in charge of the cathedral.

The wrangle over his leadership led to the resignation of the chapter clerk, bursar and organist last year.