The minutes of the House of Bishops meeting held in July 2025 are now available online. Links to earlier minutes can be found here.
Also available is the agenda for their meeting held earlier this week. We linked to the press release here.
0 CommentsThe Church of England’s House of Bishops met this week. A press release has been issued and is copied below.
House of Bishops meeting October 2025
08/10/2025
The House of Bishops met in person from October 6-8 in Cookham, Berkshire.
The House heard an update on the Makin Recommendations Task and Finish Group. The group, which includes independent safeguarding experts and survivors, was established following the publication of the Makin review to examine the report’s recommendations and enable them to be implemented.
The Group will now focus on collating the evidence that has been submitted and scrutinising the work the Church has undertaken, or plans to undertake, in response to the recommendations.
The House discussed a review of accountability for Bishops and other clergy commissioned by the Ministry Development Board (MDB). The work will provide a systematic review of accountability for bishops and other clergy to identify gaps in the current arrangements, note areas where there is a lack of clarity or ambiguity, and to identify and implement any solutions needed.
The House received an update from members of the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) working groups, members of the LLF Programme Board and the Faith and Order Commission, along with legal advice.
Bishops spent time in groups and in plenary session discussing different areas of the current LLF proposals and the key elements which should be included in a Bishops’ Statement.
They considered possible legislative processes. The bishops made progress, with a view to reaching final decisions, when the House next meets in December, on proposals to bring to the General Synod in February 2026.
They also heard an update from the Ministry team on ordained vocations, including an overview of forecast changes to the population of clergy, with a particular focus on stipendiary clergy. The House considered clergy wellbeing and its impact on retention as well as the importance of fostering a culture that nurtures new vocations, and developing strategies to engage retired clergy. The House agreed to commission the national Data Services team to gather data on parochial vacancies and clergy leaving ministry.
The House reflected on their commitment to ensuring that church with a flourishing children, youth, and families’ ministry is within reach of every child and young person in England. They discussed the importance of young people being developed and empowered, supported by motivated leaders and youth workers. Bishops shared experiences of the success of targeted leadership programmes and ways to enable families to participate in different services across different traditions.
9 CommentsDaniel French The Spectator How Sarah Mullally can fix the Church of England
Paul Sutton The Critic The conservative case for Sarah Mullally
Luke Coppen The Pillar Will the new Archbishop of Canterbury impact Anglican-Catholic ties?
The Church of Scotland Church Moderator and Principal Clerk send congratulations to the next Archbishop of Canterbury
The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe congratulates new Archbishop of Canterbury
Donna Birrell Premier Christian News Abuse survivors ‘disappointed’ at Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church What does the nomination of Bishop Mullally to Canterbury say about the Church of England?
Ian Paul Psephizo What challenges face Sarah Mullally as the new archbishop?
Theo Hobson Hail Sarah
Martine Oborne The Guardian The next archbishop of Canterbury has no time to waste in making change – this is what she will be up against
The Guardian Editorial The Guardian view on the first female archbishop of Canterbury: a choice that offers renewal and hope
Tim Wyatt New Statesman The first female Archbishop of Canterbury is a lifelong trailblazer
Ruth Peacock Religion Media Centre Sarah Mullaly smashed through ‘stained glass ceiling’ to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury
127 CommentsSeveral items have been added during the day.
Press reports
Hattie Williams Church Times Bishop Mullally’s nomination to Canterbury welcomed by church and charity leaders
Mixed response from overseas Anglicans to Canterbury announcement
Bishop Mullally’s nomination to Canterbury welcomed by church and charity leaders
Francis Martin Church Times In the midst of chaos, acts of kindness and love are what matters, says Archbishop-designate of Canterbury
Sarah Meyrick Church Times My deep faith and working experience will help me as Archbishop, Bishop Mullally says
Madeleine Davies Church Times Profile: Who is Sarah Mullally, the next Archbishop of Canterbury?
Caroline Davies The Guardian Sarah Mullally is named as first female archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally: the former nurse who will be archbishop of Canterbury
Sky News Woman named as new Archbishop of Canterbury in historic first
Who is Sarah Mullally, the first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury?
Tim Wyatt Religion Media Centre Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury
Religion Media Centre RMC Briefing: Courage and pastoral care – gifts of Sarah Mullaly, first female Archbishop of Canterbury
ITV News Archbishop of Canterbury: Dame Sarah Mullally becomes first woman to take on role
Muvija M Reuters UK names Mullally as first female Archbishop to lead Church of England
Anglican grouping GAFCON objects to female Archbishop of Canterbury
Franklin Nelson Financial Times Sarah Mullally named first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Archie Mitchell Independent Sarah Mullally becomes first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury
Gabriella Swerling The Telegraph Sarah Mullally appointed as first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Anglican Communion News Service The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion shares a message of welcome to the next Archbishop of Canterbury
Christian Today Historic day for Church of England as Sarah Mullally appointed first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury
Evangelicals pray Sarah Mullally will restore Church of England to historic position on marriage and sexuality as next Archbishop of Canterbury
Craig Buchan and Michael Keohan BBC News Kent welcomes its first woman Archbishop
Aleem Maqbool and Paul Gribben BBC News Sarah Mullally named as new Archbishop of Canterbury
Lebo Diseko BBC News Conservative church group condemns choice of female Archbishop of Canterbury
Danica Kirka and Brian Melley Religion News Service Sarah Mullally named the first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Inside Croydon Former Sutton vicar to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
English diocesan responses
Bath & Wells, Blackburn, Bristol, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Chester, Chichester, Coventry, Derby, Durham, Ely, Exeter, Europe, Gloucester, Guildford, Hereford, Leeds, Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Rochester, Salisbury, Southwell & Nottingham, St Albans, St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Truro, Worcester, York
Other reactions
Jill Duff Premier Christianity Dame Sarah Mullally is the new Archbishop of Canterbury. I’m praying she’ll lead with faith, hope and love
Helen King sharedconversations White smoke day: the new Archbishop of Canterbury
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and WalesCatholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Cardinal welcomes Archbishop-designate Sarah Mullally as new Archbishop of Canterbury
Vatican News Cardinal Koch congratulates Archbishop-designate of Canterbury Sarah Mullally
Forward in Faith The next Archbishop of Canterbury
The Society under the patronage of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda The next Archbishop of Canterbury
Church of England Evangelical Council CEEC responds to the announcement of the next Archbishop of Canterbury
GAFCON Canterbury Appointment Abandons Anglicans
Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches GSFA Statement on the Appointment of the Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, as the Archbishop of Canterbury
Melanie McDonagh The Spectator The issues that will haunt the new Archbishop of Canterbury
97 CommentsThe Very Reverend John Witcombe, the Dean of Coventry, has announced that he is to retire on 31 May 2026.
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Colin Coward Unadulterated Love What if we just weren’t made for these things?
Durham University Church of England must do more to recognise dangers of spiritual authority
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Theo Hobson American theocracy?
Ian Paul Psephizo The demographic crisis in Church of England ministry
76 CommentsThe Church of England has issued a press release on the role of the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Beverley; it is copied below.
Independent Reviewer examines roles of Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Beverley
23/09/2025
The Independent Reviewer, Canon Maggie Swinson, is recommending extra support for two bishops who provide extended episcopal oversight to parishes with a conservative stance on the ordination of women.
In a report published today, Canon Swinson explores the workload and geographical spread of the ministries of the Bishop of Beverley, Stephen Race, and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rob Munro.
Bishop Stephen – one of the Church of England’s Provincial Episcopal Visitors (PEVs) – is responsible for providing extended episcopal oversight to traditional catholic parishes across the North of England.
The report notes that the number of parishes under his remit increased following the retirement of the former Bishop of Wakefield, who had previously provided oversight to a number of traditional catholic churches in Yorkshire.
Bishop Rob serves complementarian evangelical congregations across the whole of England singlehandedly. The report notes that he has not only seen an increase over time in the number of parishes formally under his care, but that he also provides informal support to some others.
Canon Swinson notes that, as well as having more parishes under their care than many other bishops, the two bishops also travel much greater distances and the report explores the particular pastoral challenges of such a dispersed ministry.
She also notes that, unlike the PEVs who provide cover for each other in some cases, Bishop Rob currently has no one who can deputise for him.
Canon Swinson concludes that both bishops need extra support. She recommends that, as an interim measure, they could receive support with work which does not need to be carried out by a bishop, while longer term solutions are found.
Kelvin Holdsworth What is in Kelvin’s Head? We are not stewards
Ian Paul Psephizo Money, sex, and power: Will the next archbishop save the Church of England?
Francis Martin Church Times What are the most pressing issues facing the next Archbishop of Canterbury?
Madeleine Davies Church Times Church of England is in need of a structural survey
67 CommentsColin Coward Unadulterated Love Eighty years on – living creatively and optimistically in decadent times
Anon Surviving Church “As though they were gods…..”
31 CommentsThe Church of England has published LLF Autumn Update: Preparing for Key Decisions. It starts
This Autumn, the House of Bishops will meet to consider further proposals on LLF, with a view to reporting their progress back to the meeting of the General Synod in February 2026. Extensive theological work by the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC) will be available to inform the bishops in their decision making. This includes advice on the nature of doctrine and how it develops, the text and context of the Prayers of Love and Faith, and the exemplarity of clergy life. In order to assist the bishops in their discernment, feedback received from the informal diocesan consultations will also be considered.
and continues with
Rosalind Rutherford Women and the Church Bread and Stones
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Tricksters versus magicians The state of the House of Bishops and worship in local churches
Kelvin Holdsworth What is in Kelvin’s Head? Listening to the Quiet Revival
94 CommentsTim Wyatt The Critical Friend Make or break
“Is the upcoming appointment of a new Archbishop of Canterbury the last chance saloon for the C of E to save itself?”
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church Learning Lessons from the Rise and Fall of the Nine O’Clock Service
Helen King sharedconversations Is there a quorum in the House of Bishops?
75 CommentsDavid Torrance House of Commons Library What is the Ecclesiastical Committee?
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love The Evolution or Regression of the Church of England
Scarlet Cassock “All the money’s gone — must be the choir’s fault”
[This is part 2; part 1 was published in July.]
Bishop of Oxford An Open Letter to Nigel Farage
38 CommentsThe minutes of the May 2025 meeting of the Church of England’s House of Bishops are now available.
Although they are dated 18 June at the end, the internal file attributes have today’s date (1 Sept 2025).
There was a meeting in July, with an agenda and a press release, but, as yet, no minutes. The next meeting of the House is scheduled for 6-8 October.
Earlier minutes are online here.
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Jonathan Surviving Church Three Years On after a NDA: Lessons Learnt
Archdruid Eileen The Beaker Folk of Husborne Crawley Re-envisioning the Midsomer Benefice
78 CommentsThe Church of England has released its Cathedral Statistics 2024. There is an accompanying press release which is copied below. Statistics for earlier years may be found here.
Cathedral statistics show continued growth in 2024
28/08/2025
The Church of England’s latest cathedral statistics show continued growth in 2024, with weekly attendance rising to 31,900, an increase of eleven per cent compared to 2023. The rise was driven particularly by midweek services, which saw a 15 per cent increase in adult attendance and a 16 per cent increase in child attendance, although still lower than the pre-pandemic figure. (more…)
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Chine McDonald Theos Is this the end of Theology in Higher Education?
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20 CommentsAugustine Tanner-Ihm ViaMedia.News Bleeding While Leading: A Theological and Leadership Reflection
Martin Sewell Surviving Church Parting Shots
60 Comments