The Church of England’s General Synod will meet in London from 9 to 13 February. 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.
5 CommentsThe Church of England’s General Synod will meet in London next month. The papers were released today along with the following press release. I will publish a detailed list of papers later today.
Poverty, the care crisis and mental health – Synod to discuss challenges facing 21st Century Britain
21/01/2026
Call for renewed commitment to listening to and acting to support people living in poverty among motions set to be debated at February Synod.
A call for a renewed commitment to listening to and acting to support people living in poverty is among a number of motions set to be debated at the upcoming meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod.
The debate, marking 40 years since the landmark Faith in the City report, is among a series of key social challenges set for discussion, alongside the care system and the nation’s mental health in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, at the gathering in London from February 9 to 13.
The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally – who formally takes office next week – will deliver her first Presidential Address to Synod on Tuesday, February 10.
Later that day Archbishop Sarah will lead a debate on care for older and disabled people. In a debate the following day Synod will explore how the Church can respond to people’s mental health needs.
Key items on the agenda during the February group of sessions include discussion on progress in establishing independent oversight of Church Safeguarding and next steps after the Living in Love and faith process – which explores the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage – comes to a conclusion this year.
Robert Thompson ViaMedia.News Marriage, Sabbath, Creation and Jesus’s Embodiment of Justice
Mark Clavier Well-Tempered Formed for Faithfulness: Recovering the Anglican Way of Life
Ian Gomersall A Retired Rector’s Reflections Asses and Bishops
Theo Hobson Me, a priest?
118 CommentsMichael Nazir-Ali The Catholic Herald My Journey to Full Communion with the See of Peter
Andrew Goddard Psephizo Running on empty in the PLF journey?
Gavin Drake Church Abuse Why are clergy discipline tribunals still exempt from the Freedom of Information Act?
18 CommentsHelen King sharedconversations What colour should it be? ‘Furthering’ Living in Love and Faith
Mark Clavier Well-Tempered 10 Lessons from 30 Years of Being a Priest
David Runcorn Inclusive Evangelicals Male and female he made them – celebrating one humanity, equal and different
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church Music in the Worship of the Church. Cause of Unity or Division?
155 CommentsNeil Patterson ViaMedia.News A Tale of Two Reports
David Runcorn Inclusive Evangelicals No turning back – holding fast in a hesitant church
Paul Avis Church Times Ailing and failing: the Church of England has lost its way
“An institution that is marred by scandal and division needs to prioritise ethical thinking and acting”
Helen King sharedconversations The Third Province: Welcome to Mercia
Nick Tall ViaMedia.News The Archbishop and the Ballot Box: Why 2026 Will Be a Critical Year for the Church of England
Anonymous Surviving Church What about the Women? A Story of Spiritual Abuse of a female victim in the Conservative Evangelical constituency.
50 CommentsLucy Winkett The Observer Hands off our Christmas, Tommy Robinson
Peter Adams Talking Peace If the far right have parked their tanks on our front lawn, we need to get out and start the conversation!
Jonathan Clatworthy The point of it all Carol services and misleading bible readings
Andrew Anthony The Observer Sarah Mullally, archbishop of Canterbury
Ian Gomersall A Retired Rector’s Reflections Are LGBT people really welcome in the C of E?
320 CommentsLast week Chanel 4 broadcast a two-part documentary See No Evil about serial abuser John Smyth. It can be viewed online here, and there is this introduction: Serial abuser John Smyth’s wife speaks for first time in Channel 4 documentary. It has attracted much press interest.
Madeleine Davies Church Times ‘I am so ashamed’ says John Smyth’s widow in Channel 4 documentary
Jayne Manfredi Church Times TV review: See No Evil
Tim Wyatt Premier Christianity See No Evil: This Channel 4 documentary paints John Smyth’s family as his first victims
Barbara Ellen The Observer See No Evil – a too painful story of child abuse and the Church
Tola Mbakwe Premier Christian News ‘I never confused my dad with God’: John Smyth’s daughter speaks about faith and survival ahead of new doc
Fiona Lamdin and Bea Swallow BBC News ‘My dad abused 130 boys – learning the truth was horrifying’
The Church of England issued this press release Statement on Smyth documentary.
On a related matter there is this report in the Church Times.
62 CommentsMadeleine Davies Church Times Bishop ‘correct’ not to act against vicar concerning handling of Smyth reports, tribunal rules
Mandy Ford Together for the Church of England Dean of Bristol sends message to the Bishops
Sermon preached by the Very Revd Mandy Ford at Canterbury Cathedral, 14th December 2025
Trevor Thurston-Smith The Pensive Pilgrim A Fearful House?
Alice Goodman Prospect Clerical life: We priests need our turnaround time to get our heads straight
106 CommentsThe Church of England’s House of Bishops met today, and agreed to spend more time finalising its proposals on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process. There is a press release, which is copied below.
House of Bishops continues work finalising Living in Love and Faith decisions
16/12/2025
The House of Bishops has agreed to spend more time finalising its proposals on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, which explores the Church’s approach to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
At a meeting at Lambeth Palace in London today, bishops discussed a series of decisions taken in principle on the direction of LLF at their last meeting in October.
While those decisions were not contested, the bishops identified some areas where further clarification is needed and agreed to continue work on a letter to the Church summarising LLF and setting out an agreed position.
Bishops recognised the deep hurt, particularly to LGBTQI+ people, as a result of those decisions.
The House will meet again in January to finalise the text of the letter – which will take the form of a statement from the House.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who chairs the LLF Programme Board, said: “Although we recognise that having not set out a final decision today may add to the frustration and distress many people are feeling, it is important we take proper care and time on this. That is needed.
“We remain on course to bring proposals to Synod for consideration in February.”
40 CommentsThe Church of England’s General Synod will meet in London from 9 to 13 February 2026. The outline of its business is online here, and is copied below the fold.
14 CommentsSouthwell Minister announced today that their next Dean will be the Revd Canon Dr Stephen Evans, who is currently the Rector of St Marylebone in central London. He will be installed as Dean on 19 April 2026. The Minster is the cathedral of the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. Its website has more details here.
26 CommentsKeith Mascord ViaMedia.News The Wholly Unnecessary Split in the Anglican Communion: A View from ‘Down Under’
an anonymous member of the Church of England Surviving Church A View from the Rural Pew
Peter Sherlock Heresy 1: On the marriage of the clergy
Church Times Leader comment: Category error? What is, or isn’t, a safeguarding matter
Stephen Kuhrt Safeguarding the Institution The impact of ‘Captain Darlings’ on the Church of England
24 CommentsThe Prime Minister’s Office has announced the appointment of Canon Christopher Palmer as the next Dean of Winchester. The press release is copied below. There is more information on the cathedral website. Canon Palmer will be installed on 15 March 2026.
Appointment of Dean of Winchester: 8 December 2025
The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Christopher Palmer, Canon Residentiary and Treasurer of Exeter Cathedral, as Dean of Winchester.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 8 December 2025
The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Christopher Palmer, Canon Residentiary and Treasurer of Exeter Cathedral, as Dean of Winchester, in succession to The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle following her retirement.
Background
Christopher was educated at University of Oxford and trained for ministry at St Stephen’s House, Oxford. He served his title at All Saints, Emscote, in the Diocese of Coventry, and was ordained Priest in 1999. He served as Team Vicar of All Saints, East Sheen, in the Diocese of Southwark and, from 2005, was also the Area Dean of Richmond and Barnes. In 2010, Christopher was appointed Team Rector of Merton Priory.
From 2018 Christopher served as Canon Chancellor of Exeter Cathedral and he took up his current role as Canon Treasurer in 2022.
15 CommentsDiocese of Newcastle Bishop Helen-Ann’s Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod
[This address refers to a motion on LLF at Newcastle diocesan synod; the motion is copied below the fold.]
Surviving Church A reply to Anon’s Reflections on the Safeguarding Failures and Delays in the C/E highlighted by the Charity Commission
Mark Clavier Well-Tempered Four Last Things
34 CommentsThe Rt Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, the Bishop of Repton, has announced his retirement. His last day in post will be 30 April 2026. Details are on the Derby diocesan website.
1 CommentThe Revd Canon Dr Philip Hobday has been appointed as the next Dean of Wakefield; he is currently the sub-dean. Details are on the Leeds diocesan website and on the cathedral website. He will be installed on Saturday 07 March 2026.
45 CommentsThe Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, has announced that he will retire on his 70th birthday in August 2026. Details are on the diocesan website, and the bishop has written this letter to his diocese.
1 CommentHelen King ViaMedia.News Safeguarding: How Can We “Learn Lessons” From the Read Sisters’ Case?
Mark Clavier Well-Tempered In Praise of Vicarages
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church Tithing – A form of Manipulation?
65 Comments