2006

Archbishop's interview on 'Today' programme
29 December 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, was the guest editor of this morning's BBC Radio Four 'Today' programme. He was interviewed towards the end of the programme.

Advent calendar continues to add visitors
21 December 2006

Almost 20,000 visits have been made to the Church of England’s first online Advent calendar since its launch on Advent Sunday.

Parishes follow cathedrals with bigger Christmas congregations
18 December 2006

Parish churches are following the trend set by cathedrals in attracting more Christmas worshippers, according to counts taken in 2005. New figures released today by the Church of England show a six per cent increase in the Church of England’s overall Christmas Eve/Christmas Day congregations last year.

Director of Mission and Public Affairs appointed
18 December 2006

The Revd Dr Malcolm Brown has been appointed as the next Director of Mission and Public Affairs for the Church of England, to succeed John Clark when he retires at Easter 2007.

Archbishop's Pause for Thought
18 December 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury's Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2's Wogan. "Just to complicate Christmas preparations a bit more this year, I’ll be off to Bethlehem on Wednesday with some of my colleagues. We’re planning to be there for a few days just before Christmas, and – with luck – we’ll be back in time for Christmas Eve.

Pilgrims urge prayer for the 'little town of Bethlehem'
14 December 2006

Church leaders in England are asking parish churches and congregations throughout the country to pray for 'the little town of Bethlehem' as they approach the final week of Advent.

Rewiring parish churches for mission – rediscovering old ideas for the New Year
14 December 2006

A book published today poses a range of questions to help parish churches as they pledge a ‘mission-shaped New Year’s resolution’ to transform their church and community in 2007.

Reflecting on the future of the parish system
7 December 2006

The parish system of the Church of England is examined in a new book published today featuring 12 leading thinkers.

Chief Education Officer appointed
6 December 2006

The Revd Janina Ainsworth has been appointed as the next Chief Education Officer for the Church of England in succession to Canon John Hall, who was recently installed as Dean of Westminster Abbey.

Women Bishops Legislative Drafting Group announced
5 December 2006

The Archbishops' Council has agreed the membership of the legislative drafting group to consider proposals for allowing women to be consecrated as bishops.

Church leaders to make pilgrimage to Bethlehem
5 December 2006

Christian leaders have called for prayers throughout Advent for Christians in the Holy Land as they prepare for a pilgrimage to the birth place of Jesus Christ.

Archbishop – Trident White Paper must provoke wide debate
4 December 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has said that the Government White Paper on the future of Trident requires the widest possible consultation and should start and not close down public debate on the issue.

Opening the Advent door on Christmas - Church of England Online Advent Calendar goes live
3 December 2006

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, will push the button to launch the Church of England’s first official online Advent Calendar – www.adventstories.org - at a special event in the grounds of York Minster tonight.

Church publishes inspiration to help parishes "rediscover a sense of adventure"
1 December 2006

The latest in a series of challenging reflections on the nature of doing mission, Mission-shaped Spirituality, is published today.

Church aims to ‘make its mark’ with a national Walk of Witness to commemorate Bicentenary
30 November 2006

The Church of England is to invite thousands of people from across the country to join the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for an historic event next year to mark the Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

Archbishop of Canterbury comments on British Airways
24 November 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury today gave the following comments in response to questions about British Airways and the wearing of the cross by its uniformed staff.

Archbishop derides 'flawed reasoning' of BA cross decision
20 November 2006

The Archbishop of York has appealed to British Airways to reconsider their decision to refuse the appeal of Nadia Eweida who has lost her fight to openly wear a cross necklace at work at Heathrow.

Archbishop dismisses newspaper reports on his views on the ordination of women as 'wilful misinterpretation'
16 November 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has dismissed as 'wilfully misleading' newspaper reports that he is doubtful over the ordination of women to the priesthood.

Joint comment by the Bishop of Southwark and the Archbishop of Cardiff on the Nuffield Council's report
15 November 2006

Joint comment by the Bishop of Southwark and the Archbishop of Cardiff on the Nuffield Council’s report on critical care decisions in fetal and neonatal medicine.

Statement issued at the bi-lateral meeting between the Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Church of England House of Bishops
14 November 2006

The Church of England House of Bishops and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales are joining together for a bi-lateral meeting at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, on November 14 - 15th.

Church of England's 'parliament' holds virtual question time
14 November 2006

The Church of England’s General Synod has held its first virtual question time. Twenty-five questions from Members, asked by e-mail, are answered on the Church’s website today.

Church growth specialist launches inspirational map of the road to growth
14 November 2006

A practical booklet exploring eight key themes to help local churches boost their congregations arrives in Christian bookshops today. The Ven Bob Jackson, Archdeacon of Walsall, has packed Going for Growth with tips for busy church leaders and members who want to ‘get stuck in’ to plans to grow their church, by offering a menu of ideas for action.

Church encourages members to 'learn lessons for life' in practical prayer guide
9 November 2006

Life Source, published today as an ideal course for Lent study groups, will encourage members to 'discover a new found joy and delight in prayer' by examining major aspects of a balanced prayer life.

Promoting a Safe Church
1 November 2006

The Church of England has published a policy and guidelines for safeguarding vulnerable adults in line with the policies and procedures developed over the last ten years for the safeguarding of children.

Churches encouraged to lend an ear for mission
31 October 2006

A new guide published today urges churches to become ‘multi-listeners’, tuning both ears to God, to their local communities, and to wider society when they are planning new activities.

Welcome for latest announcement from Secretary of State for Education and the Catholic Education Service
26 October 2006

Canon John Hall, the Church of England’s Chief Education Officer, comments on the latest announcements from the Secretary of State for Education and the Catholic Education Service.

Planting for growth: new ideas for countryside churches
26 October 2006

Churches in the countryside should consider setting up farmers’ markets and using school buildings after hours to organise café-style events to reach out to rural communities, argues a new book released today by the Church of England.

Bishop welcomes preservation of Prisons Inspectorate
24 October 2006

The Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester and Bishop to HM Prisons, has welcomed the Government's announcement that it will not proceed with a proposal to merge the Prisons Inspectorate in a ‘super-inspectorate’ covering all parts of the criminal justice system.

Prayers for all Times and Seasons in three new publications
20 October 2006

Common Worship further enriches the worship of the Church of England with the eagerly awaited publication of Times and Seasons.

People of faith sustain vibrant rural communities
19 October 2006

Vibrant rural communities are sustained and enhanced by the informal and individual actions of people of faith, according to research published today.

Shock poster pressures supermarkets to back Bishop
18 October 2006

On Wednesday 18 October the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev David Gillett, will reveal a shocking poster which shows the typical range of supermarket goods on offer to children this Halloween. The poster forms part of  ‘Halloween Choice’, a campaign that is challenging supermarkets and stores to offer a wider range of merchandise to people who want to celebrate Halloween in an alternative way

The Revd Sir Derek Pattinson RIP
13 October 2006

The Church of England mourns the loss of Sir Derek Pattinson, who died, aged 76, on Tuesday, October 10. As Associate Secretary General, he helped to see into being the General Synod of the Church of England in 1970 and served as its Secretary General from 1972 to 1990.

Law Commission consultation: “Cohabitation: the Financial Consequences of Relationship Breakdown”
10 October 2006

The Church of England has told the Law Commission consultation: “Cohabitation: the Financial Consequences of Relationship Breakdown,” that public policy should promote and encourage marriage, as it contributes to the common good.

Community cohesion: a response to media coverage
9 October 2006

A Church of England spokesman said: "The issue of community cohesion is a vital subject in which all sections of society should be fully engaged. This internal briefing note, produced by a church official and reported in the media, is not designed as an attack on the Government but as a contribution to debate.

Archbishop announces new Third Church Estates Commissioner
6 October 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has announced the appointment of Mr Timothy Walker to serve as Third Church Estates Commissioner in succession to Lady Brentford. 

Archbishop calls for secure future for Hospital Chaplaincy
6 October 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has given his strong support to the work of hospital chaplains and has stressed the need for a commitment to securing effective chaplaincy services across the National Health Service at a time of job cutbacks and financial restraint.

Commissioners to market financial interest in housing loans
4 October 2006

The Church Commissioners have begun detailed discussions to sell their financial interest in housing loans granted to the Church of England Pensions Board. This is a sale of the Commissioners' income stream from these loans and not a sale of the ‘bricks and mortar.’

Bishop responds to Daily Mail
3 October 2006

The Mail is wrong to say that the Church of England is thinking of dropping the use of 'He' or 'Lord' to refer to God, or that hymns such as Fight the Good Fight "may be headed for the dustbin." (Thou shalt not refer to God as He or Lord, p5, 3 October). What the report Responding to Domestic Abuse says is that such masculine imagery can be, and is, misused by abusers to justify ill-treatment and violence by men against women.

The Church of England is to appoint its first Bishop for Urban Life and Faith
3 October 2006

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have appointed the Rt Rev Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme, to promote the dissemination and implementation of the report Faithful Cities, the follow up report to Faith in the City, which was widely welcomed at its launch in May. The appointment is for three years, during which the Bishop will respond to issues of urban policy and life on behalf of the Church.

New Church of England schools to offer a quarter of places to non-church families
3 October 2006

All new Church of England schools should have at least a quarter of admission places available to non-Christians but Parliament should not expect the same commitment from other faith communities, the chairman of the Board of Education has told the Secretary of State for Education.

Church condemns domestic abuse and encourages support for survivors
2 October 2006

The Archbishops’ Council has commended a set of guidelines for anyone with pastoral responsibility as part of the Church’s commitment to victims of domestic abuse and to addressing the circumstances that lead to such abuse.

Bishop of Manchester appointed to chair women bishops legislative drafting group
29 September 2006

The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester, has been appointed by the Archbishops’ Council to chair a legislative drafting group to consider proposals for allowing women to be consecrated as bishops. The drafting group was called for in a motion carried by the General Synod in July 2006

Church launches official resources to mark the journey of faith
26 September 2006

The Church of England today published three sets of resources to equip local parishes with tools to help mark major milestones in a Christian’s journey of faith. The new materials have been developed in response to calls from churches for quality resources to help celebrate baptisms and confirmations – the two major services at which Christians make a public affirmation of their faith or their commitment to raising a child in that faith.

Synod information updated on the web
21 September 2006

In line with the continuing project to provide more information about General Synod on the Church of England website, a new section giving details of Private Member's Motions has been launched today

A warm welcome on Back to Church Sunday
19 September 2006

Sweet temptation for returning worshippers. People are inviting friends and family to join them in church on Sunday, September 24th as part of Back to Church Sunday. Returnees will receive a warm welcome and free chocolate – all part of the special day.

Church questions proposals for gambling advertisements
19 September 2006

The Church of England has called for all advertisements promoting gambling to carry health warnings about the danger of gambling addiction. It states that the potential benefits of doing this “should outweigh the disadvantage of extra financial costs for advertisers.”

Archbishop's interview on BBC R4 - The Good Childhood Inquiry
19 September 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams appeared on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning to talk about the Children's Society's The Good Childhood Inquiry which is being launched today.

Bishop challenges supermarkets to lighten up Halloween
18 September 2006

The Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Revd David Gillett, has today published a letter sent to Britain’s supermarket bosses urging them to rethink the way that their stores promote Halloween.

Archbishop's Prayer for Darfur
15 September 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury has joined other faith leaders in expressing renewed concern for Darfur and has published a prayer for Sunday 17th September, designated as an international Day of Prayer for the region.

Statistics show increased giving and ordinations
15 September 2006

Average weekly giving by Church of England parishioners hit the £5.00 mark for the first time in 2004. Statistics released today show that direct giving to parish churches averaged exactly £5.00 per electoral roll member per week and tax-efficient giving increased to an average of £8.00 per subscriber per week. The number of parishioners subscribing to tax-efficient giving through Gift Aid was a record 518,000.

Bishops’ office and working costs published
15 September 2006

The 2005 office and working costs of bishops in the Church of England are published today. Figures for individual bishops were first published, for the year 2000, in December 2001. Bishops’ office and working costs were previously published as a total figure.

Fifth anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks - Archbishop of Canterbury on BBC R4 Thought for the Day
11 September 2006

Archbishop of Canterbury on Radio 4's Thought for the Day, reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America - 9/11.

Back-a-Book to help Lambeth Palace Library turn over some very old pages
31 August 2006

Lambeth Palace Library, the historic library of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the principal reference point for the history of the Church of England, has launched a project to help safeguard the future of thousands of priceless books – while offering a unique gift idea at the same time.

Duke of Gloucester to attend care of churches conference
29 August 2006

The Council for the Care of Churches (part of the Archbishops’ Council) and the Diocese of Chichester are very pleased to announce that His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO has accepted the invitation to attend part of the CCC’s Annual Conference in September, which will be co-hosted by the Diocese of Chichester and will be held at Sussex University, Falmer, near Brighton, Monday to Wednesday, 18th – 20th September 2006.

Church says 7.5 per cent rise in GCSE Religious Education students helps understanding in today's society
24 August 2006

“More than 430,000 GCSE students are opening envelopes to reveal their grades in Religious Education today, following months of studying a subject that will broaden their horizons and help them to understand the society we live in today,” says Canon John Hall, the Church of England’s Chief Education Officer.

A-level Religious Studies entries increase for third year
17 August 2006

The publication of A-level results today has brought the third successive rise in the number of entrants for Religious Studies A-level with an increase of 7.98%. There were 43% more A-level entrants taking Religious Studies this year than three years ago. Coupled with this, there is a 7.25% increase in the number of entrants for AS level Religious Studies compared with a year ago.

Church Commissioners submit plans to refurbish Bishopthorpe
16 August 2006

The Church Commissioners have submitted plans to York City Council for the refurbishment of Bishopthorpe Palace, the historic base for the Archbishop of York’s ministry since the 13th Century.

Middle East Conflict: Protest, Pray & Fast
11 August 2006

The Archbishop of York is to embark on an act of ‘public witness’ to encourage people throughout the country to join him in a week long campaign of prayer and fasting for Peace in the Middle East.

Church prays for peace in the Middle East
8 August 2006

Parish churches across the land are praying for a rapid end to the violence devastating the Middle East, and for wisdom for the world’s political leaders, as the crisis continues to unfold.

Trace your family fortunes with Church of England’s latest web development
8 August 2006

The Church of England has today launched a new area on its website to assist the thousands of people currently trying to trace the branches of their family tree.

Bishop to HM Prisons issues statement on leaked report
1 August 2006

The Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester and Bishop to HM Prisons, comments on recent speculation following the leaked release of a report into prison staff behaviour, by the Metropolitan Police and Prison Service's anti-corruption unit:

Church says there’s always Time to Pray – no matter how busy you are
27 July 2006

The Church of England has unveiled a fresh resource to help time-pressured people who want to plug into its powerful grid of ordered daily prayer and reflection.

New Bishop of Lancaster announced
26 July 2006

The Reverend Canon Geoffrey Seagrave Pearson BA has today been announced as the next Bishop of Lancaster, in the Diocese of Blackburn, in succession to the Rt Revd Geoffrey Stephen Pedley.

Bishop of London on the environment - interview on Radio 4's Today programme
24 July 2006

Bishop of London, Rt Revd Richard Chartres, featured on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme speaking about the environment and the Church of England's 'Shrinking the Footprint' campaign. Broadcast 8.32am on Monday 24 July 2006.

Sundays suit some but churches must look outside box, says Church researcher
21 July 2006

A senior Church of England researcher has called on parishes to expand the scope of their vision, urging churches to think beyond their own walls and beyond the hours of Sunday in their attempts to engage communities with the message of the Gospel.

‘Start spreading the news’: Church launches live news feed
18 July 2006

News from the Church of England is now available ‘hot off the press’ following the launch of an online news feed on the Church’s popular website, www.cofe.anglican.org. The RSS feed, launched today, will enable those interested in the Church’s work and mission to receive live updates of the latest news from the Church – as soon as it is published.

Equipping volunteer youth workers for the future with flexible development framework
17 July 2006

The Church of England has published a framework for the training and development of those who work with young people on its behalf.

Director of Finance appointed for the National Church Institutions
17 July 2006

Jackie Bliss has been appointed as Director of Finance for the National Church Institutions of the Church of England. This is the first time that a joint finance director has been appointed for the Archbishops’ Council, the Church Commissioners for England and the Church of England Pensions Board.

Archbishop's message of sympathy for Mumbai victims
14 July 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent a message of sympathy for victims of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai earlier this week.

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Tuesday 11th July 2006
11 July 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Monday 10th July pm
10 July 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Monday 10th July 2006 am
10 July 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Sunday 9th July pm
9 July 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Saturday 8th July pm
8 July 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Saturday 8th July am
8 July 2006

Presidential Address by the Archbishop of York to the General Synod - 'Epieikes and Epieikeia: More than justice'
8 July 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Friday 7th July pm
7 July 2006

First Anniversary of the London Bombings
6 July 2006

On the first anniversary of the bombings of 7th July 2005, prayers will be said at the General Synod and in churches across England. The anniversary will be referred to in the opening prayers of the General Synod at York University, led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and will also be reflected in the intercessions at evening prayer that night. Church House staff will join in the two-minute silence at midday.

Taking the Long View – a bishop’s-eye view of General Synod
6 July 2006

“Polemical, swashbuckling, strongly committed and thoroughly good fun - Colin Buchanan's account of life in General Synod reads just like its author," says the Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden.

Senior Selection Secretary appointed
4 July 2006

The Revd Stephen Ferns has succeeded Mrs Margaret Sentamu as Senior Selection Secretary in the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Stephen was previously a Selection Secretary and the Vocations Officer within the Division.

Pensions Task Group recommends way forward
3 July 2006

The second report of the Archbishops' Task Group examining the Church of England's pensions policy is published today. It sets out developments since its first report on March 1st, analyses a number of possibilities and recommends a particular option for the Church to consider.

Archbishop – ‘Challenge and hope’ for the Anglican Communion
27 June 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has set out his thinking on the future of the Anglican Communion in the wake of the deliberations in the United States on the Windsor Report and the Anglican Communion at the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church (USA). ‘The Challenge and Hope of Being an Anglican Today, A Reflection for the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Anglican Communion’, has been sent to Primates with a covering letter, published more widely and made available as audio on the internet.

Ethical investment: A challenging year
26 June 2006

The annual report of the Church of England’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group, published today, sets out a challenging year - with the call on the Church to disinvest from Caterpillar, the US manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, as the dominant ethical investment issue.

Too few minority ethnic clergy but more in training
26 June 2006

The minority ethnic population is under-represented among the clergy of the Church of England, a survey has revealed, but efforts to attract more people from minority ethnic backgrounds to train for the priesthood and other vocations are bearing fruit. Only 2.2 per cent of clergy were from minority ethnic backgrounds in 2005, compared with 7.9 per cent of the working population in the 2001 census and 3.2 per cent of electoral roll members in 2002.

Key debates on women bishops, Faithful Cities report, further education, and major legislative proposals on agenda for General Synod
19 June 2006

Agenda also looks at environment (CO2 emissions), married couples’ tax allowance, work of the Church Commissioners, pensions, clergy terms of service, and the recent World Council of Churches Assembly.

Church opposes on-air appeals to fund TV
16 June 2006

The Church of England has opposed any relaxation of the rules against on-air appeals to fund television programmes in its submission to an Ofcom consultation on lifting the ban.

Church puts its money where its mouth is to connect with youth
13 June 2006

The Church of England has launched a £1 million national initiative to connect young people with the Christian message, with the support of a number of charitable trusts.

Churches call for greater Government commitment to collective worship in schools
12 June 2006

The country’s main Churches have today urged the Government to recognise the importance and support the place of daily collective worship in schools, stressing that school worship helps promote tolerance and understanding and prepares students for adult life by giving them an opportunity to express their spiritual nature.

Archbishops’ Council publishes response to consultation on sexual orientation discrimination
9 June 2006

The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England has today published a response to the Department of Trade and Industry’s Consultation on Proposals to Outlaw Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Provision of Goods and Services.

Churches call on Government to strengthen religion mandate in BBC Charter
7 June 2006

The Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have called for a stronger mandate for religion in the BBC Charter and Agreement in a joint letter to Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport. Parliament will debate the Charter later this month.

Cardinal Kasper addresses Bishops' Meeting
6 June 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has welcomed an address given by Cardinal Walter Kasper as a ‘clear and helpful contribution’ to the debate on women in the episcopate. The address was given to the Church of England Bishops’ Meeting, 5 June 2006

Churches urged to spring clean their vestry cupboards
6 June 2006

A guide to help parish churches sort out bulging cupboards of dusty records or memory-strained computer systems has been published by the Church of England today.

Challenging Poverty
4 June 2006

‘Challenging Poverty’, a new campaign to tackle poverty in Britain, has been launched today. An initiative of the Church Urban Fund (CUF), the campaign will raise awareness of the plight of the 11.4 million people living below the poverty line in this country and encourage action in local communities.

Church launches ‘Shrinking The Footprint’ campaign
2 June 2006

The Church of England will be marking World Environment Day (Monday 5 June) by taking a further step forward in the campaign to ‘green’ the Church. All parish churches are being invited to carry out an audit of current energy uses so that a benchmark can be established. Once the size of the current ‘carbon footprint’ of the Church has been assessed, the campaign will roll out initiatives to shrink that footprint.

Communities love their churches - now it’s time to listen to their needs, says Church researcher
29 May 2006

Roadside shrines, bouquets and teddies and the widening appeal of prayer stations, labyrinths and beads are all indications that images are the new words for people today, says the Church of England's chief statistician and researcher.

Faithful Cities – regeneration forces many to the margins
22 May 2006

Millions of pounds have been poured into Britain’s city and urban areas in recent years but the resultant growth has forced many to the margins and dramatised the gap between the ‘super rich’ and the poorest. That is the challenge highlighted by Faithful Cities: A call for celebration, vision and justice, the report of an ecumenical and interfaith Commission initiated by the Church of England and presented to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York today.

Cathedrals continue to reach upwards
19 May 2006

Attendance levels at regular weekly services in Church of England cathedrals have risen by a total of 21 per cent since the turn of the millennium – that’s a rate of almost four per cent each year.

Election by General Synod to Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England
17 May 2006

New resource breaks the mould to help young Christians – and busy youth workers
11 May 2006

A ground-breaking youth work resource from Church House Publishing’s Emmaus portfolio is launched this week.

Bishop welcomes English Heritage Inspired! - “A capacity building campaign”
11 May 2006

The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, has welcomed Inspired!, the English Heritage five point plan to assist historic places of worship. The plan was launched today (10/05/06) at St Mary Magdalene Paddington by Simon Thurley, CEO English Heritage and the Bishop of London.

Church challenged to put children at its centre
10 May 2006

The first in an eagerly-awaited series commissioned to follow the major impact of the Mission-shaped Church report hits bookshops this week and hopes to extend the visionary influence of the original book to the Church’s work with children.

Da Vinci Code: making your mind up - an online resource
8 May 2006

A new section of the Church of England website is launched this week, inviting people to consider the facts and fiction of the Da Vinci Code for themselves.

Pioneering research uncovers young peoples’ views on life and sets a challenge for today’s Church
8 May 2006

Revealing research published this week looks set to be a Spring page-turner for all those with an interest in how the Church engages with young people.

Porvoo Celebrates Ten Years
8 May 2006

Tenth Anniversary of the Signing of the Porvoo Agreement – Celebration at Southwark Cathedral, London, Saturday, 25th November, 2006 Anglicans and Lutherans from England, Scandinavia and the Baltic will be gathering at Southwark on 25th November for a day of celebration.

Church welcomes Government commitment on pipe organs
5 May 2006

The Church of England has welcomed a government commitment to “put an end to all this nonsense” that pipe organs should be subject to new regulations governing the disposal of hazardous substances. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wicks, said the government’s view was that pipe organs do not fall within the scope of the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive.

BBC White Paper ignores religion’s key role
4 May 2006

The Government’s White Paper on the BBC’s Royal Charter fails to reflect the key role played by churches and faith communities in the nation’s life, says the Church of England. In its submission to the Government’s final consultation on the BBC Charter Review, the Church also warns that ‘high quality’ may become merely an option for BBC programmes under the new Charter.

Hymns Ancient and Modern take over Church House Bookshop
3 May 2006

The Archbishops' Council is pleased to announce that Hymns Ancient & Modern, a Christian charity and publishing company responsible for SCM-Canterbury Press and the Church Times, has taken over Church House Bookshop, Great Smith Street, London.

Church calls for joined-up approach to help victims of human trafficking
2 May 2006

The Church of England has welcomed steps being taken to support victims of human trafficking, in an official response to Home Office proposals for a UK action plan designed to tackle the issue.

Bi-lateral meeting between the House of Bishops and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
27 April 2006

The Church of England House of Bishops and bishops from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales will join together for a bi-lateral meeting at Hinsley Hall, Leeds on 14-15 November, 2006.

Church Commissioners publish Annual Report & Accounts
26 April 2006

The Church Commissioners achieved a return of 19.1 per cent on their investments in 2005. The Commissioners’ Annual Report & Accounts for 2005 are published today.

Bishop's tribute to HM The Queen on the occasion of her 80th birthday
21 April 2006

Rt Revd Richard Harries, The Bishop of Oxford, yesterday paid tribute to HM The Queen on the occasion of her 80th birthday, on behalf of the Lords Spiritual.

New Children’s Adviser for the Church of England
20 April 2006

The Board of Education of the Archbishops’ Council has announced that Mary Hawes is to be the Church of England’s National Children’s Adviser.

Church opposes any move to extend Sunday trading hours
11 April 2006

The Church of England has rejected proposals to further extend trading hours for large retail outlets on Sundays.

Archbishop on 'Pause for Thought'
11 April 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury's 'Pause for Thought' on Wake Up to Wogan, BBC Radio 2, Tuesday 11th April 2006

No connection to the "Christian Council of Britain"
5 April 2006

The response of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to the Christian Council of Britain appears below.

Easter story brought to life as figures suggest increasing numbers celebrating at cathedrals
4 April 2006

More than 1.5 million people are expected to attend Church of England services over Easter weekend, as churches across the country prepare to tell the story of the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection in new ways that aim to connect with modern society.

Archbishop of Canterbury interview on Climate Change
28 March 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken of the dangers of complacency over the issue of climate change, challenging everyone to play their part in the solution.

New Chairman for Urban Bishops’ Panel
28 March 2006

The Rt Revd Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme, has succeeded the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester, as Chairman of the Urban Bishops Panel.

Churches welcome VAT scheme extension and expansion
22 March 2006

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy, who is also Chairman of the Churches Main Committee, warmly welcomed Gordon Brown’s announcement to substantially expand the scope of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and extend its operation for a further three years until 2010-11.

Head of BBC Religion and Ethics departure
21 March 2006

The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, responding to the news that Alan Bookbinder is to step down as Head of Religion and Ethics at the BBC said:

BBC TV ‘Watchdog’ programme, March 14, 2006
14 March 2006

Sale of Octavia Hill Properties, London Statement from the Church Commissioners

Poll shows widespread support for Church Schools as figures indicate continuing success for students
14 March 2006

Seven out of ten people believe that Church of England schools play a positive role in educating the nation’s children, according to a poll by researchers ORB released today to coincide with a major conference on Church schools.

Church Schools: a National Vision
14 March 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury's speech to the Church Schools: Faith in the Future Conference, Westminster, 11th March 2006

Common Worship: Daily Prayer is best-selling liturgical book after the Bible
9 March 2006

Daily Prayer, part of the Common Worship series, was the top liturgical book in the UK in 2005 and came within the year’s top fifteen biggest selling religious books.

Caterpillar: Ethical Investment Advisory Group confirms earlier decision
7 March 2006

The Church of England’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group, after careful consideration at a specially convened meeting to discuss Caterpillar Inc – the US-based manufacturer of construction and mining equipment – has unanimously reaffirmed its previous decision, taken in September 2005.

Grainger GenInvest exchange contracts on residential properties.
2 March 2006

Grainger GenInvest and The Church Commissioners have exchanged contracts for the freeholds of 976 predominantly residential properties in Waterloo, Winchester Park, Vauxhall, Pimlico and Walworth. Completion of the sale is expected within the next few weeks.

Church launches consultation on pensions policy
1 March 2006

In common with private companies and public bodies, the Church of England is to review its pensions policy.

New DVD promotes churches’ green shoots of growth
1 March 2006

expressions: the dvd, an inspiring resource for those interested in exploring innovative ways of ‘being and doing church’, is launched this week.

Church schools conference to celebrate success and plan for the future
28 February 2006

The stage is being set for a major conference celebrating the achievements of church schools in England and Wales that will offer delegates the opportunity to explore the role that Church of England and Church in Wales schools play in offering inclusive education with a distinctively Christian ethos to more than 920,000 children and young people.

Oxford see house
28 February 2006

The Church Commissioners’ search for a property with the potential to be a suitable new house for the next Bishop of Oxford is to continue.

Church of England opens virtual door on its documentary heritage
23 February 2006

Information on the rich documentary heritage of the Church of England is now only a click away with the launch of a dedicated Libraries and Archives section on the Church of England’s popular website.

The importance of religious education: joint statement
22 February 2006

Joint statement from the Department for Education and Skills and faith communities on the importance of religious education:

New resources published to help churches bring baptism to life
22 February 2006

Baptism is a major milestone on the Christian journey but finding appropriate materials to help young children understand the significance of the event can be a tough challenge. Tackling this head on are two new resources published this month by Church House Publishing, which aim to bring the baptism service to life for young children.

Youth pledge action on spirituality, peace and justice
16 February 2006

The Church of England Youth Council – the national representative body exclusively for young adults within the Church – has marked its first anniversary with a full council meeting in Buckinghamshire of more than 30 members from across 17 dioceses.

Archbishop: Synod call was expression of ‘concern’
10 February 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has written to England’s Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, offering his personal reassurances following the vote on Ethical Investment in the Church of England’s General Synod earlier this week.

General Synod - Summary of business conducted on Thursday 9th February pm
9 February 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted, Thursday 9th February am
9 February 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Wednesday 8th February pm
8 February 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted Wednesday 8th February am
8 February 2006

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Tuesday 7th February pm
7 February 2006

General Synod - Archbishop's contribution to the debate on the House of Bishops' Women Bishops Group Report
7 February 2006

Archbishop's contribution to the debate on the House of Bishops' Women Bishops Group Report to the General Synod from a working group chaired by the Bishop of Guilford

Archbishop of Canterbury's sermon at Eucharist service, General Synod London
7 February 2006

At first hearing, today’s gospel sounds simple. We must not fuss about local and particular things, we must concentrate the energies of our hearts upon God.

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Tuesday 7th February am
7 February 2006

Hymns Ancient and Modern to take over Church House Bookshop
7 February 2006

The Archbishops' Council is pleased to announce that, subject to contract, Hymns Ancient & Modern, a Christian charity and publishing company responsible for SCM-Canterbury Press and the Church Times, is to take over Church House Bookshop, Great Smith Street, London.

Interviews for school admissions
7 February 2006

Statement from the Chief Education Officer of the Church of England and Oona Stannard, Chief Executive and Director, Catholic Education Service

General Synod – Summary of business conducted on Monday 6th February 2006
6 February 2006

Church Commissioners select buyer for London residential properties
3 February 2006

The Church Commissioners have today informed tenants of their properties at Waterloo, Walworth, Vauxhall, Winchester Park and Pimlico that they have agreed a sale of the freeholds of these properties.

Churches make neighbourhoods ‘a better place to live’
31 January 2006

More than eight out of 10 people in Britain go into a church or place of worship each year and six in 10 believe a place of worship makes their neighbourhood a better place to live, according to the detailed findings of an Opinion Research Business attitude survey, published today. The results back up similar findings in 2003.

Archbishops’ Council: Clergy members elected
27 January 2006

Cathedrals respond to English Heritage grants
26 January 2006

English Heritage has today (26 January 2006) announced £1 million of grants for repairs to cathedrals. The Very Revd Colin Slee, Dean of Southwark and spokesman for the Association of English Cathedrals, said: "All cathedral Chapters are immensely grateful for the English Heritage Cathedral Grants scheme, we recognise the genius behind its creation and the sustained commitment of English Heritage to our work maintaining some of the finest buildings in the country on an entirely self-supporting financial basis."

Milestones on the Christian journey
24 January 2006

The latest publication in the Church of England’s Common Worship series, launched this week, represents a pioneering resource for marking important occasions in the life of the Church - and the lives of individual Christian worshippers.

Church event throws spotlight on education
23 January 2006

The stage is set for a national day of prayer and celebration for all those involved in the world of education, taking place on Sunday 12th February.

Key debate on women bishops in a diverse agenda for General Synod
16 January 2006

Agenda also considers rural affairs, hospital and health care chaplaincy, the built heritage, Anglican/Baptist relations, Church colleges and universities, and ethical investment.

Guildford Group sets out proposals for women bishops
16 January 2006

A Church of England group is proposing a way forward aimed at both permitting women to become bishops – should General Synod vote in favour of this - and of preserving the maximum amount of unity within the Church.

New attendance figures show mixed picture for church-going
13 January 2006

Figures just released by the Church of England for 2004 show a mixed picture for trends in church attendance.

Churches packed for Christmas past
13 January 2006

Reports from across the Church of England suggest Christmas 2005 was a cracker for church attendance

Archbishops’ Council: Lay members elected
6 January 2006

The House of Laity of the General Synod has elected the following members to serve on the Archbishops’ Council for a term of five years.

Forced Marriage is a wrong, not a right
5 January 2006

The Church of England has supported moves to create a specific criminal offence of ‘forcing someone to marry’ in its submission to a Home Office review on the issue.

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