Thinking Anglicans

Opinion – 16 July 2025

Ben Gibson Surviving Church Institutional Failure and the Case of the Leicester Stalker: An Open Letter to General Synod

Kelvin Holdsworth What’s in Kelvin’s Head “Issues” is no more

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Dean of Bangor

A new dean has been appointed to Bangor Cathedral, with Canon Dr Manon Ceridwen James taking up the role from September. Details are in the diocesan press release.

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General Synod – 11-15 July 2025

This post will be updated as the meeting proceeds.

The Church of England’s General Synod is meeting this weekend. The timetable is here, the agenda is here and the papers are here.

Live video etc

All sessions are streamed live on YouTube and remain available to view afterwards. Links have been provided in advance.

There is an official X/Twitter account.

Chairs of debates

Order papers

Notice papers

Questions Notice Papers

Business Done

Official press releases

Press reports and comment etc

The Guardian

Independent

Church Times

Civil Society

Third Sector

Anglican Communion News Service

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General Synod Questions – July 2025

The Questions (and answers) for this weekend’s meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod were issued today. They can be found online here:

Questions will be taken on Friday evening (11 July).

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Opinion – 9 July 2025

‘Graham’ Surviving Church Justin Welby, the Truth and Forgiveness
The Unanswered Questions. Attachment/Addendum to Graham’s Article

Giles Fraser UnHerd Anglicanism’s poisoned chalice Decent candidates run a mile

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Opinion – 5 July 2025

Ian Gomersall A Retired Rector’s Reflections A curious event at an ordination

Nick Spencer, George Lapshynov and Hannah Rich Theos Should Chris Coghlan be denied the Eucharist?

In this week’s issue of The Critical Friend Tim Wyatt writes about the resignation/retirement of the Archbishop of Wales in The rot goes deep, and about The Leicester Stalker. For those who have not been following the Leicester case, the BBC investigation is here, and subsequent statements from the Diocese of Leicester are here. House of Survivors have also issued a statement.

Alexandra Zhirnova reads the Nicene Creed in Old English; the Church of England has a press release.

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Dean of Carlisle

The Dean of Carlisle, the Very Revd Jonathan Brewster, has announced that he is to step down from his role.

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Opinion – 2 July 2025

Sally Hope ViaMedia.News There’s Another Church Abuse Crisis That’s in Every Congregation, and Very Much Closer to Home

Pat Ashworth Church Times Retired clergy ‘keeping the show on the road’

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Statement from the Representative Body of the Church in Wales on Bangor Cathedral

The Representative Body of the Church in Wales issued a statement on Bangor Cathedral, and other related matters within the Church, yesterday. It is copied below.

These are these two press reports.

Statement from the Representative Body of the Church in Wales on Bangor Cathedral

Posted: 1 July 2025

The Representative Body of the Church in Wales met on Tuesday June 24 to consider, among other matters, the situation at Bangor Cathedral.

A brief public statement was issued later that day:

“The Representative Body of the Church in Wales met today to consider matters relating to Bangor Cathedral. After extensive and detailed discussions, the meeting has been adjourned, and a statement will be issued in due course.”

That full statement is now being issued, comprising the full text of the motion approved by the Representative Body. (more…)

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Archbishop of Wales – news and comment

Some of these articles appeared before the announcement of Archbishop John’s retirement.

Gavin Drake The Living Church Welsh Primate Resigns in Cathedral Leadership Scandal

Church Times Archbishop of Wales steps down, with immediate effect

Harriet Sherwood The Guardian Archbishop of Wales stands down after Bangor cathedral scandal

Gwyn Loader BBC News Archbishop retires amid cathedral behaviour failings

Martin Shipton Nation Cymru Church in Wales charities probed by Charity Commission

Here is the personal statement by the Archbishop issued on Monday this week: Statement on Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report implementation.

The process for electing a new Archbishop is in the Constitution. Within thirty days after a vacancy arises in the archbishopric, the senior Diocesan Bishop (currently the Bishop of St Asaph) shall summon each member of the Archbishop’s Electoral College to a meeting to be held not less than fourteen and not more than thirty days after the date of such summons. So the meeting must be held not later that 26 August.

The only reason for delay is if a see is vacant or becomes vacant within 14 days of the archbishopric becoming vacant. In that case the process does not start until the vacant see has been filled. But Bishop John has delayed his resignation from his see by more than 14 days, so the timetable above must be followed.

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Opinion – 28 June 2025

Anne Richards Modern Church The Death of Us

Helen King sharedconversations Ceasefire?

Stephen Parsons Surviving Church Safeguarding and the Falsely Accused

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Retirement of the Archbishop of Wales

The Archbishop of Wales has announced this evening that he has retired with immediate effect as Archbishop. He will also retire as Bishop of Bangor on 31 August. There are statements from the Archbishop, the Bench of Bishops and the Chair of the Representative Body in this press release, copied below.

Retirement of the Archbishop of Wales
Posted: 27 June 2025

Statement from the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd. Andrew John

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you to announce my immediate retirement today as Archbishop of Wales. I also intend to retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31st.

It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of working at your side for the sake of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire and I will be in touch again about the way in which this might happen.

Thank you, and Christ give you joy and peace in believing.

+Andy

Statement on behalf of the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Rev’d Gregory Cameron, Senior Bishop of the Church in Wales, spoke on behalf of the Bench of Bishops:

“As Archbishop Andrew announces his retirement today as Archbishop of Wales and his forthcoming retirement as Bishop of Bangor, the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales wish to express our heartfelt thanks for his service to the Church during his ministry.

“Andy has dedicated thirty-six years of his life to ordained ministry in the Church in Wales, and has served with commitment and energy to proclaim the Christian Gospel and draw people to deeper faith in Jesus Christ. He has given so much for the good of the Church in Wales. He now lays down his considerable responsibilities in the same spirit in which he has served for these decades.

“We offer most sincere thanks, and our commitment to hold him and his family in prayer at this time and in the days ahead.”

Statement by Professor Medwin Hughes, Chair of the Representative Body of the Church in Wales

As Archbishop Andrew retires from his duties, I wish to thank him on behalf of The Representative Body of the Church in Wales for his hard work, commitment and vision during his time as Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor.

The Archbishop has led the Church through a time of immense change and challenge. Throughout his time in post, has shown his deeply felt concern for the welfare, not just of the Church itself, but of our society and the world as a whole.

I know that everyone who has worked with The Archbishop during his ministry will have been touched by his pastoral care and his profound dedication to improving the life of the Church in Wales and of the wider community.

As he now passes that work to other hands, I want to place on record my sincere gratitude for all he has achieved, together with my admiration for the integrity of his ministry to the people of Wales. All members of the Representative Body will continue to hold The Archbishop and his family in our prayers.

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General Synod Papers – July 2025

The Church of England’s General Synod will meet in York from 11 to 15 July. The agenda and papers for the meeting were released today.

There are links to the papers below the fold, grouped by the day on which they are due to be debated. There are also a number of GS Misc papers and items of deemed and contingency business.

Also available are these two zipped files.

(more…)

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Pre-synod press release

The Church of England’s General Synod will meet in York next month. The papers were released today along with the following press release. I will publish a detailed list of papers later today.

Christian responses to war, people coming to faith, and measures to support clergy on Synod agenda

A major package of proposals to support clergy; signs of growth in church attendance, and how Christians can respond to potential for armed conflict are among topics on the agenda at the upcoming General Synod.

Members of Synod will gather in York for their annual residential meeting from July 11 to 15, with a wide-ranging agenda of legislation, topical debate and discussion.

There will be several items of financial business including debate on the Church of England’s recently announced £1.6 billion three-year national spending plans and a request for Synod to approve proposals to increase clergy pensions.

Significant time will be set aside for the final stages of the legislation to set up the National Redress Scheme for victims and survivors of Church-related abuse.

Amid war in Ukraine and the Middle East and tensions around the world, Synod will be hearing from a senior member of the Armed Forces reflecting on the current global context and how churches can respond to armed conflict. Synod papers published today also include a reflection by the Church of England’s Bishop to the Forces, Hugh Nelson, on how parishes can support members of the armed forces and their families in their communities and addressing questions of how the Church can serve its mission in times of conflict. (See GS Misc 1428)

Following four years of overall growth in church attendance, Synod will spend some time considering church growth and outreach, drawing on research by the Archbishops’ Council on factors which help churches grow.

A paper by the Rev Kate Wharton, a member of Archbishops’ Council and Prolocutor of the House of Clergy, explains: “This is a moment of opportunity. Churches are revitalising, starting new services, planting, and reaching people in new ways.

“The Church is rediscovering its calling to be younger, more diverse and rooted in every community.

“All of this reminds us: growth is God’s work. Our task is to pray, prepare, and respond with faith.”

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House of Bishops – minutes for March 2025

These are now available online. Earlier minutes are here; scroll down to “Documents”.

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Opinion – 21 June 2025

Lizette Miller Pray Tell Blog An Overview of Anglican Liturgical Music:
Part I
Part II
part III

Paula Blake Women and the Church Lay people should be consulted in decisions about alternative episcopal oversight

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Opinion – 14 June 2025

Timothy Goode ViaMedia.News The Body the Church Forgot: Reimagining Sacred Space from the Margins

Phil Groves ViaMedia.News Some Things You Never Forget

The Bishop of Hereford has responded to Monday’s announcement of the Church of England national spending plans, as reported here in the Church Times.
Shrink grants in favour of funding parish clergy, Bishop of Hereford urges Church Commissioners

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Opinion – 11 June 2025

Alice Goodman Prospect The strange ritual of confirmation

Helen King sharedconversations Another one bites the dust: resignation, LLF … and murder?

Trevor Thurston-Smith The Pensive Pilgrim Hymns : Entering the Minefield

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Church Commissioners Annual Report for 2024

The Church Commissioners published their annual report for 2024 last week, and a press release which is copied below.

Church Commissioners for England endowment fund delivers 10.3% return in 2024
06/06/2025

The Church Commissioners for England, which manages the Church of England’s endowment fund, delivered a 10.3% return in 2024, marking the sixteenth consecutive year of positive returns, with the fund now valued at £11.1bn at the end of 2024. (more…)

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Church of England national spending plans

The Church of England has announced its national spending plans for 2026-2028, in particular how it will use the funds made available by the Church Commissioners. The text of this morning’s press release is copied below; there is also a helpful video.

Major investment in local churches and parish clergy as £1.6bn three-year national spending plans unveiled
09/06/2025

  • Church Commissioners’ funding towards work of the church set to leap by 36 per cent in the three-year period 2026-28, amounting to the biggest distribution in Church’s history.
  • Indicative distributions of £4.6 billion over nine years from 2026 to 2034.
  • Typical stipend set to rise 10.7 per cent next year under new proposals as clergy well-being put at centre of spending plans. Boost in support for churches in lowest income communities.

The Church of England today unveils plans to invest more than £1.6 billion towards sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and serving local communities over the next three years – a 36 per cent rise on the national funding made available in 2022 for the current three-year period. (more…)

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