Flowers, Pictures, and Crosses: Criticisms of Priscilla Lydia Sellon's Care of Young Girls

Anglican Theological Review, Summer 2004 by Kollar, Rene

Richards told Bishop Phillpotts that he had taken all the notes during the meetings with the three girls, and that other interested gentlemen had witnessed the proceedings also. The editor explained to the audience that he felt he had a duty to the public to investigate rumors concerning life at the orphanage after receiving some anonymous letters which made some serious charges against the sisters. Moreover, he had additional information that the three girls left the orphanage because of offensive religious ceremonies and practices. Phillpotts then inquired as to the objective nature of the questions which Richards had put to the girls. The editor responded that he had tried to be fair, but also admitted that he did edit some of the responses prior to publication. One of the men who had witnessed the meeting with one of the girls asked to be heard, and he told the bishop that the mother had feared that her daughter might become a Roman Catholic, and thus had her daughter removed from Sellons care. Bishop Phillpotts then began to examine each of the three girls, and asked Sarah Ann Clarke, who was accompanied by her mother, to answer some questions.

Before interrogating Miss Clarke, the bishop asked her mother to leave the room, which she did after voicing strong objections. Phillpotts asked the girl to describe the Roman Catholic ambience at the orphanage, and his choice of words, for example, "the corruptions of the Church of Rome," demonstrated his position. At this point, some members attending the meeting began to disrupt the proceedings with questions about potential witnesses being present during the testimony of the girls. The issue could not be resolved, and in an attempt to bring some order to the meeting, Phillpotts rescinded his earlier decision and permitted Mrs. Clarke to return. The girl then responded to the bishop s queries about Pusey and his dealings with the sisterhood. At this point, a member of the audience began to interrupt constantly with questions, and Bishop Phillpotts threatened to stop the meeting. With order restored, it came to light that Pusey had celebrated Communion for the Sick, because his son, Philip, was recuperating at the house during this time. Thus, according to Phillpotts, Pusey committed no liturgical irregularity in this instance.29

Bishop Phillpotts then moved on to some specific instances contained in Miss Clarke's statement in The Devonport Telegraph, drawing attention to the crosses, the holy pictures, and the shabby clothing she wore when she left. The girl testified that the newspaper had accurately recorded her testimony. In response, Phillpotts announced that Lydia Sellon would appear later in the session. For the time being, however, he read a statement from Sellon which threw some light on the stories of all three girls: the worship and religious customs of the house, she argued, were certainly not popish. With this rebuttal from Lydia Sellon, Miss Clarke s testimony came to an end. At this point, Bishop Phillpotts allowed as evidence several testimonies from the diocesan inspectors of education which maintained that the sisters promoted Christian principles and fostered high standards of education at the orphans' school.