The Preservation and Protection of the Sacred Status of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow
The Issue
To: The Right Reverend Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton
Concerning: The Preservation and Protection of the Sacred Status of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College
To His Lordship, the Bishop of Clifton,
We, the undersigned parishioners of the Clifton Diocese, alumni, parents, stakeholders and friends of Prior Park College, write to you with an urgent plea regarding the sacred future of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows.
We request that you withhold your episcopal consent and refuse to accept the decision by Prior Park Schools to secularise or structurally alter this sacred space.
This petition stands firmly in defense of the original foundation, vision, and Catholic values established for Prior Park by its founder, Bishop Peter Augustine Baines. When Bishop Baines purchased Prior Park in 1829 and opened the college in 1830, he intended it to be a beacon of Catholic education and a spiritual heart for the Western District (now the Diocese of Clifton). The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, envisioned as a Roman Basilica, was built to be the literal and spiritual center of that foundation.
The recent shift by the school’s management away from its unique identity risks separating the chapel from the sacred purpose for which it was built and consecrated. The secularisation or reduction of this historic, Grade I listed church into a multi-use hall or secular venue undermines nearly two centuries of Catholic heritage in the West of England.
Therefore, we respectfully urge Your Lordship to:
1. Deny any application for the secularisation, deconsecration, or canonical stripping of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows.
2. Intervene as the Chief Shepherd of the diocese to ensure that the chapel remains a dedicated place of Catholic worship, Holy Mass, and prayer, in keeping with Bishop Baines’ foundational legacy.
3. Uphold the spiritual rights of the faithful who look to Prior Park’s historic chapel as an enduring monument to the Catholic faith.
We present this petition with deep respect for your office and a shared desire to preserve the rich spiritual landscape of the Clifton Diocese.
Legal Disclaimer
1. Purpose and Non-Legal Material
This petition is organized by PriorParkVerify for the sole purpose of public advocacy, community expression, and ethical engagement. The contents of this petition—including all text, claims, and references to "Form 77" or other administrative procedures—are intended for informational and campaigning purposes only. They do not constitute formal legal advice, a binding legal opinion, or a formal legal notice to the Prior Park Educational Trust or any other party.
2. Accuracy of Information and Signatory Liability
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the statements within this petition at the time of drafting, the organiser(s) make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the absolute legal completeness or accuracy of the background context. By signing this petition, signatories are expressing their personal, moral, and ethical support for the campaign. Signatures do not create any legal relationship, financial liability, or joint legal responsibility between the signatories, the organisers, or the Trust.
3. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by the laws of England and Wales, the organiser(s) of this petition accept no liability for any loss, damage, or legal consequences arising directly or indirectly from the use of, reliance on, or publication of this petition text, or from the submission of signatures.
4. Data Protection and GDPR Compliance
By providing your name, email address, and postcode, you consent to "priorparkverify" collecting and processing your data solely for the administration of this petition and to verify genuine community support. Your data will be handled securely in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your personal details will not be sold, shared for marketing purposes, or disclosed to third parties, except when the final verified list of signatories is presented to the Diocese of Clifton.
1
The Issue
To: The Right Reverend Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton
Concerning: The Preservation and Protection of the Sacred Status of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, Prior Park College
To His Lordship, the Bishop of Clifton,
We, the undersigned parishioners of the Clifton Diocese, alumni, parents, stakeholders and friends of Prior Park College, write to you with an urgent plea regarding the sacred future of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows.
We request that you withhold your episcopal consent and refuse to accept the decision by Prior Park Schools to secularise or structurally alter this sacred space.
This petition stands firmly in defense of the original foundation, vision, and Catholic values established for Prior Park by its founder, Bishop Peter Augustine Baines. When Bishop Baines purchased Prior Park in 1829 and opened the college in 1830, he intended it to be a beacon of Catholic education and a spiritual heart for the Western District (now the Diocese of Clifton). The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, envisioned as a Roman Basilica, was built to be the literal and spiritual center of that foundation.
The recent shift by the school’s management away from its unique identity risks separating the chapel from the sacred purpose for which it was built and consecrated. The secularisation or reduction of this historic, Grade I listed church into a multi-use hall or secular venue undermines nearly two centuries of Catholic heritage in the West of England.
Therefore, we respectfully urge Your Lordship to:
1. Deny any application for the secularisation, deconsecration, or canonical stripping of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows.
2. Intervene as the Chief Shepherd of the diocese to ensure that the chapel remains a dedicated place of Catholic worship, Holy Mass, and prayer, in keeping with Bishop Baines’ foundational legacy.
3. Uphold the spiritual rights of the faithful who look to Prior Park’s historic chapel as an enduring monument to the Catholic faith.
We present this petition with deep respect for your office and a shared desire to preserve the rich spiritual landscape of the Clifton Diocese.
Legal Disclaimer
1. Purpose and Non-Legal Material
This petition is organized by PriorParkVerify for the sole purpose of public advocacy, community expression, and ethical engagement. The contents of this petition—including all text, claims, and references to "Form 77" or other administrative procedures—are intended for informational and campaigning purposes only. They do not constitute formal legal advice, a binding legal opinion, or a formal legal notice to the Prior Park Educational Trust or any other party.
2. Accuracy of Information and Signatory Liability
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the statements within this petition at the time of drafting, the organiser(s) make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the absolute legal completeness or accuracy of the background context. By signing this petition, signatories are expressing their personal, moral, and ethical support for the campaign. Signatures do not create any legal relationship, financial liability, or joint legal responsibility between the signatories, the organisers, or the Trust.
3. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by the laws of England and Wales, the organiser(s) of this petition accept no liability for any loss, damage, or legal consequences arising directly or indirectly from the use of, reliance on, or publication of this petition text, or from the submission of signatures.
4. Data Protection and GDPR Compliance
By providing your name, email address, and postcode, you consent to "priorparkverify" collecting and processing your data solely for the administration of this petition and to verify genuine community support. Your data will be handled securely in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your personal details will not be sold, shared for marketing purposes, or disclosed to third parties, except when the final verified list of signatories is presented to the Diocese of Clifton.
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Petition created on 23 October 2026