The Church of England Evangelical Council published these items:
Together for the Church of England published:
Inclusive Church published this LLF Open letter from Members of the Church of England
The Dean of Southwark preached this sermon (video)
15 CommentsUpdate Wednesday: links to articles by Madeleine Davies and Ian Paul added.
The Church of England has released its attendance statistics for 2024.
There is also an accompanying press release which is copied below.
Press release
Attendance at Church of England churches rises for the fourth year in a row
27/10/2025
Attendance at Church of England churches grew for the fourth year in a row last year, statistics have confirmed.
The overall number of regular worshippers across the Church of England’s congregations rose to 1.009 million in 2024, a rise of 0.6 per cent, according to the annual Statistics for Mission findings.
It was the second year in a row in which the Church of England’s “worshipping community” – the combined number of regular members of local congregations – has stood above a million since the Covid-19 pandemic.
All age average attendance on a Sunday also rose 1.5 per cent to 581,000 in 2024, extending rises over recent years.
And overall attendance across the week edged upwards by 1.6 cent in a year, and stood at just over 702,000 last year, according to the figures.
The increase was driven by a recovery in attendance by adults (over 16), among whom average Sunday attendance was up by 1.8 per cent and weekly attendance rose by 1.8 per cent. (more…)
13 CommentsThe Prime Minister’s Office has announced that the next Suffragan Bishop of Taunton in the diocese of Bath and Wells will be the Ven Fiona Gibson, currently Archdeacon of Ludlow. The Bath and Wells website has the story Fiona Gibson to become the next Bishop of Taunton.
22 CommentsAppointment of the Suffragan Bishop of Taunton: 22nd October 2025
The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Dr Fiona Ruth Gibson, to the Suffragan See of Taunton, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 22 October 2025The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Dr Fiona Ruth Gibson, Archdeacon of Ludlow, in the Diocese of Hereford, to the Suffragan See of Taunton, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, in succession to the Right Reverend Ruth Elizabeth Worsley, following her translation to the See of Wigan.
Fiona was educated at Homerton College, Cambridge, and trained for ministry at Oak Hill Theological College. She served her title at Christ Church, Bedford, in the Diocese of St Albans, and was ordained Priest in 2012. Fiona was appointed Vicar of Cople, Moggerhanger and Willington in 2014.
In 2021, Fiona took up her current role as Archdeacon of Ludlow, in the Diocese of Hereford, and was installed as a Prebendary of Hereford Cathedral.
Fiona is married to David, and they have two adult children.
Updated 17 October
The Church Times has this report: Persuade PCCs to take action if same-sex blessings move forward, Alliance tells its clergy
The Alliance document referred to is available here: Alliance Campaign Manual 250926.
Update:
Helen King has written about this document: This week in Living in Love and Faith: On the Alliance Campaign Manual
The Church of England issued the press release below this afternoon.
Update on Living in Love and Faith, October 2025
15/10/2025
The House of Bishops has made a series of key decisions on the future direction of the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process, which explores questions of relationships, sexuality and marriage.
At its residential meeting last week, the House reviewed detailed theological and legal advice on outstanding questions following the landmark 2023 Synod vote which led to the introduction of the Prayers of Love and Faith (or PLF).
The PLF are a set of prayers, readings and liturgical material which, for the first time, enable same-sex couples to come to church for public prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and asking for God’s blessing as part of a regular church service.
Since then, the Church has been exploring whether special ‘bespoke’ services using the PLF could be introduced and whether clergy could legally enter into same-sex marriages.
There has also been extensive consideration of possible new arrangements for how the Church is organised including so-called ‘Delegated Episcopal Ministry’.
The bishops reviewed advice both from the Church of England’s Legal Office and the Faith and Order Commission (all of which will be published in due course).
While final decisions will be made by the House in December, the bishops agreed in principle that both bespoke service and clergy same-sex marriage would need formal synodical and legislative processes to be completed before they could be permitted.
As a result, they also concluded there is currently no need for a new code of practice setting out special arrangements such as Delegated Episcopal Ministry.
Although there remains a wide range of views within the House on questions of sexuality and relationships, there was strong consensus on the need for unity, transparency and proper process alongside pastoral care. Despite personal convictions across traditions, the House of Bishops recognised these were the procedural realities to effect any future change.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, chair of the LLF Programme Board, commented: “As we continue prayerfully to navigate this important work on behalf of the Church, we believe these are the right decisions following further legal and theological advice.
“However, we recognise that for some, they will be difficult and disappointing.
“I continue to pray for God’s grace and gentleness for all as we continue to discern a way through these questions.”
Key decisions:
The Bishops took part in a series of votes on elements of a statement from the House which would summarise the LLF process and outcomes. They indicated, on the basis of the advice received, that in December they will:
They also agreed they would provide pastoral reassurance through:
Given the decisions indicated above, the Bishops concluded that there was sufficient pastoral reassurance in the elements listed and did not propose to bring forward a code of practice at this time.
While there was a range of views expressed on questions of sexuality and marriage the decisions on most points were reached with near unanimity – spanning the breadth of theological tradition.
Notes to Editors
Ely Cathedral has announced that the Dean, the Very Revd Mark Bonney, will retire next year on 31 July 2026. The press release is copied below, and there is a longer item on the Cathedral website.
(more…)
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 Prime Minister’s Office has announced that the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury will be Dame Sarah Mullally, currently Bishop of London. The official website of the Archbishop of Canterbury has further information here, Canterbury diocese has this, and the Church of England this. It is expected that she will legally assume the office on 28 January 2026, with her installation or enthronement on 25 March.
Appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury: 3 October 2025
The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E. for election as Archbishop of Canterbury.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 3 October 2025The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E., for election by the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral in the place of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Portal Welby, GCVO, as Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan.
Lord Evans of Weardale, KCB, DL, Chair of the Crown Nominations Commission for Canterbury welcomed the news:
“It has been a great privilege to have chaired the Crown Nominations Commission as it sought to discern who God is calling to lead the Church of England and Anglican Communion as Archbishop of Canterbury. That discernment began with the public consultation, which heard the voices of thousands of people as they expressed their hopes for this nomination, and continued all the way through to the Commission’s final meeting. I would like to thank all those who took part in this process, particularly those who took time to share their views in the consultation and the members of the Commission who worked so diligently over several months, ably assisted by the Appointments Secretaries and by the Appointments and Vocations team at Lambeth Palace. I shall be praying for Bishop Sarah as she prepares to take up this new ministry in the coming months.”
Sarah Mullally was, prior to ordination, the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England having specialised as a cancer nurse. She was educated at South Bank University, London, and Heythrop College, University of London, and trained for ministry at the South East Institute of Theological Education. She completed her title at St. Saviour Battersea Fields, in the Diocese of Southwark, and was ordained as a priest in 2002.
In 2006, Sarah was appointed Team Rector, Christ Church, Sutton, Southwark and then became Canon Residentiary and Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral in 2012. In 2015, Sarah was consecrated as Suffragan Bishop of Crediton, in the Diocese of Exeter, and in 2018 took up her current role as Bishop of London as well as Dean of the Chapels Royal from 2019.
In a separate statement, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has said
“I welcome the appointment of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E as the new Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the role.
“The Church of England is of profound importance to this country. Its churches, cathedrals, schools, and charities are part of the fabric of our communities.
“The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together.”
The Very Reverend John Witcombe, the Dean of Coventry, has announced that he is to retire on 31 May 2026.
6 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.
The 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
House of Survivors has issued this statement on 3 September:
House of Survivors Statement
The recent Kennedys data breach has thrown many questions into the air for survivors, not least how will the law firm lead the Redress Scheme whilst at the same time fend off dozens of civil claims from the same group of people. This incident affects women and men who have already endured profound injustice and lifelong impact at the hands of the Church, and is a painful violation of trust and safety we had a right to expect. It also puts trust in the Redress Scheme into question for all Church of England context survivors.
House of Survivors’ view is that Kennedys will need to grasp the nettle and take the initiative – and offer the data breach survivors a fair compensation veering on the side of quantum generosity. It will save much time and anxiety, save Kennedys much in legal fees, avoid additional stress for the men and women affected when trust is low and tension is high. It will also enable Kennedys to claw back vital reputational ground. They will need to work imaginatively, probably outside of their usual playbook, and ahead of the Redress Scheme starting. We hope Kennedys might be keen to seize the moment as the loss to their business is likely to grow the longer they leave it. There will be some survivors who will wish to make civil claims through various law firms and clearly everyone needs to have the freedom to do this if they wish. That is everyone’s right. But in our view a proactive move by Kennedys will be the smart thing for the law firm to do.
Our biggest fear is that this mess left unaddressed will cause the Redress Scheme to be delayed – especially if the Church has to reconvene the Redress Scheme board to negotiate with new law firms. This could see the Scheme delayed by another one to two years. We suspect some in the hierarchy, particularly those who control Archbishops Council, may be privately hoping the whole thing will collapse and they can blame Kennedys. House of Survivors reminds those people that the reputational fallout will impact the Church just as greatly. We urge the Church to work with Kennedys to reassure all survivors that the Scheme is going ahead, will be closely monitored by an oversight committee with survivor input, and that both Kennedys and the Church will seek quickly and proactively to put things back on track.
House of Survivors
3 Sept 2025
In a short item on the Liverpool diocesan website it has been announced that the Rt Revd Beverley Mason is to resign as suffragan Bishop of Warrington.
The Rt Revd Beverley A Mason has resigned as suffragan Bishop of Warrington in the Diocese of Liverpool. This will take effect from 1st October 2025.
The Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool says:
‘It is with heavy hearts we receive this news today. We are thankful for all that Bishop Bev has given in her ministry among us here in the Liverpool diocese. She goes with our love and prayers for the future.’Bishop Bev has written a letter to the people of the Diocese which can be read here
The letter is copied below.
We have covered earlier aspects of this story here and here.
50 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.
16 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…)
5 CommentsThe Prime Minister’s Office has annnounced that the next Bishop of Basingstoke in the diocese of Winchester will be the Ven Kelly Anne Betteridge, currently Archdeacon of Bodmin. The Winchester website carries a press release New Bishop of Basingstoke Announced by Downing Street while Truro has Archdeacon Kelly named as new Bishop.
31 CommentsSuffragan Bishop of Basingstoke: 28 August 2025
The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Kelly Anne Betteridge BA, MA, to the Suffragan See of Basingstoke, in the Diocese of Winchester.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 28 August 2025The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Kelly Anne Betteridge BA, MA, Archdeacon of Bodmin in the Diocese of Truro, to the Suffragan See of Basingstoke in the Diocese of Winchester, in succession to the Right Reverend David Williams BSc, following his translation to the See of Truro.
Kelly was educated at Roehampton Institute, gaining a degree in Education and Theology in 1992. She served as a youth and children’s worker in parishes in the Dioceses of Guildford and of Oxford and then as a ministry specialist working with the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), involved in training and consultancy work with leaders, writing resources and shaping policy relating to children’s ministry.
Kelly trained for ministry at Queen’s College, Birmingham, gaining an MA in Applied Theological Studies. She served her title across the three parishes of St. Nicolas, Nuneaton with St. James, Weddington, and St. Theobold and St. Chad, Caldecote, in the Diocese of Coventry. She was ordained Priest in 2011 and was subsequently appointed Vicar of St. Nicolas and Priest in Charge of St. James and St. Theobold and St. Chad in 2014.
In 2021 Kelly took up her current role as Archdeacon of Bodmin and a Director of Intergenerational Church, in the Diocese of Truro, supporting deaneries to implement plans for sustainability and flourishing, working with leaders (lay and ordained) to embed new patterns of ministry and, promoting intergenerational approaches to church life.
Updated 29 August
As mentioned in today’s Opinion article, the Redress Scheme that was recently approved by General Synod has suffered from a major data breach. The Church of England has issued this statement:
Redress Scheme data breach by Kennedy’s Law LLP which is copied in full below.
We have been made aware of a deeply regrettable data incident involving the independent Redress Scheme administered by Kennedys Law LLP.
This incident resulted in the unintended disclosure by Kennedys Law of email addresses belonging to individuals who had registered for updates on the Redress Scheme.
First and foremost, our focus is on those affected. We recognise the distress this has caused, particularly for survivors who trusted the scheme to handle their information with care and confidentiality.
While the Church of England is not the data controller for the Redress Scheme and does not hold or manage the data in question, we are nonetheless profoundly concerned. We are in discussions with Kennedys to understand how this breach occurred and to ensure robust steps are taken to prevent anything similar from happening again.
Kennedys has taken full responsibility for the incident and is contacting all those affected directly to apologise and offer support. They have reported the breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office and are investigating the circumstances thoroughly.
This should not have happened. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support efforts to restore trust and confidence.
Questions or concerns in relation to this data breach can be directed to KennedysDataProtectionOfficer@kennedyslaw.com
Finding support
If you have been impacted by this there are a number of organisations who can offer support:
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.
There are Safeguarding Advisers in every Church of England diocese across the country. Details can be found using our Diocesan Safeguarding Teams map which links to relevant contact information in each area.
Additional support services are listed here.
If you would like to talk to someone within the Church of England please email redress@churchofengland.org
Statement from Kennedys Law: Published 27 August 2025
Regrettably on Tuesday evening, a message was sent from law firm, Kennedys, to 194 individuals and law firms who had registered to receive updates in relation to the Church of England Redress scheme. Due to human error, the email displayed the email addresses making them visible to all recipients. No further personal details of individuals were shared. Attempts to recall the message were only partially successful.
Kennedys has been working with the Church of England since March 2024 as its independent Scheme Administrator to help it develop further and manage its National Redress Scheme for victims and survivors of Church-related abuse. This was approved by the General Synod of the Church of England in July paving the way for the scheme to open for redress applications.
Kennedys is deeply sorry for the hurt and concern caused to everyone affected by this significant error and accepts full responsibility. We have contacted everyone who received the message and have reported the incident to the Charity Commission, the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority. We will fully comply with any investigations.
Additionally, we have launched a full internal investigation to understand how this could have occurred and will incorporate any lessons learnt into our procedures immediately.
We understand the significant impact this will have on those affected for which we apologise unreservedly. We remain committed to supporting victims and survivors of Church of England-related abuse to secure the financial redress, therapeutic, spiritual and emotional support, acknowledgement of wrongdoing on the part of the Church, apology and other forms of bespoke redress under this scheme. Questions or concerns in relation to this data breach can be directed to KennedysDataProtectionOfficer@kennedyslaw.com
Updates
This letter was issued on Thursday: An open letter from the Bishop of Winchester
And this was issued by Kennedys, on the front page of the Redress Scheme website, and is copied below.
Redress Church of England
Kennedys data breach
Published 28 August 2025
I am a Partner at the law firm Kennedys, and I have been working with the Church of
England to develop the Redress Scheme.
I know you will already be aware of the unfortunate incident earlier this week in which an email was sent to people who had registered to receive updates in relation to the Redress Scheme. Due to human error and in breach of firm standards, the email displayed the email addresses of all recipients. I want to reassure you that no further personal details of individuals, or information relating to those individuals, was shared.
I want to take this opportunity to personally apologise that this error occurred. It does not reflect the standards that we expect of ourselves and as a firm but more importantly we know that it has caused trauma and concern, and seriously impacted on the trust that survivors and others have in the Redress Scheme. We recognise the seriousness of this incident, and we have launched an internal investigation to understand exactly how this incident occurred and to ensure it does not happen again.
We are also working with the Church of England and those leading the Scheme to determine how best to rebuild trust in the Redress Scheme, and ensure those affected by this incident are adequately supported and any harm suffered appropriately redressed.
We have received a number of complaints from those affected by this incident and are responding to those individually. If you have been impacted and want to lodge a complaint, or have any related questions or concerns, you can contact me at Helen_snowball@kennedyslaw.com or the Kennedys Data Protection Officer at KennedysDataProtectionOfficer@kennedyslaw.com. We have a dedicated team in place who are entirely focused on this matter.
We understand it can be distressing for some to receive further messages from the original thread. We have provided some guidance here that might help reduce or stop further messages coming to your inbox.
We know this will be a difficult time for many of you and additional support is available from Safe Spaces. They can be contacted on safespaces@firstlight.org.uk or 0300 303 1056.
I would like to reiterate again how sorry I am that this happened and our unwavering dedication to making it right.
With regards,
Helen Snowball
35 Comments