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Progress has been made, but much more needs to be done, in order to increase the representation of people from working class backgrounds in lay and ordained leadership roles in the Church of England, the General Synod was recently told. The Bishop of Barking, Lynne Cullens, who is heading a key advisory group to encourage...

The Church of England has welcomed the Government’s Schools White Paper and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) consultation, “recognising the opportunity they offer to secure long‑term improvements for children, young people and families.” As the largest single provider of schools in England, and with a long history of serving the most vulnerable, the Church...

 and new working group to be established General Synod recently gave its backing to establishing working and consultative groups to continue work on same-sex relationships and marriage as the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process came to a conclusion. LLF was originally set up in 2017 to explore the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. It led to the introduction, following a key Synod vote in 2023, of public prayers of dedication,...

The General Synod has backed a call for the C of E to recommit to ending poverty. General Synod members voted to mark the 40th anniversary of the publication of the landmark report Faith in the City, and its impact on Christian social action, including the work of the Church Urban Fund. Churches must listen to...

The General Synod recently backed a Diocesan Synod Motion from the Diocese of Worcester encouraging churches and cathedrals to explore ways of arranging flowers that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible. The Sustainable Church Flowers movement began as a grassroots initiative in the small rural parish of Harpley, Worcestershire, when volunteers started exploring how traditional...

The General Synod recently voted to approve a new strategy designed to rebuild trust and deliver professional, independent safeguarding across the C of E. At the core of the reforms is the creation of a new national safeguarding charity. This organisation will operate independently of Church hierarchy, governed by a majority-independent Board. The charity’s lead...

General Synod has backed calls for the training of ordinands, curates and priests on how to support people with mental health needs, amid rising levels of mental health challenges in communities. In a debate on mental health and the Church, Synod members acknowledged the pressures facing clergy, and also requested that the National Society, which...

The General Synod has finalised plans to increase the number of young people able to take part in its debates, marking a significant step in strengthening youth representation at the heart of the Church of England’s decision making. The change means that a total of five young people will now be able to attend Synod,...

The cross of St George, the flag of England, should be celebrated as a symbol of unity in our nation, rooted in our Christian heritage, a group of leading Church of England bishops from across the country have said. In a joint statement, they urge people to embrace or rediscover our Christian heritage but also...

In pursuit of the C of E’s priority to grow younger and more diverse, the Strategic Mission and Ministry Board has agreed £0.6m investment with the charity Growing Hope. One in six children in England have additional needs, and 88 per cent of parents of children with additional needs say that attending church is currently...

The Archbishops’ Council is to award £600,000 to national charities for further work to support clergy well-being, including counselling and grants for those who face financial difficulties. The new grant will help clergy with everyday expenses such as energy costs, unexpected car repairs, and school uniforms and trips for clergy children. The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls,...

Bishop Sarah Mullally to be installed as Archbishop of Canterbury  We hold ‘national treasures for the common good’ – new repairs fund  Poverty, the care crisis and mental health – Synod discusses challenges Country’s most deprived parishes receive over £22m investment  Disability Project awarded £5 million in funding Bishop backs action to curb ‘truly appalling’...