On 6th July 2023, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:
Clergy: Homosexuality
Mr Ben Bradshaw MP (Lab, Exeter): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions he has had with the Church of England General Synod on its expected timetable for bringing forward proposals on (a) blessings, (b) marriages and (c) rules for clergy in same-sex relationships.
Andrew Selous MP (Con, South West Bedfordshire): In February 2023 the General Synod agreed proposals that would enable same-sex couples to come to church after a civil marriage or civil partnership to give thanks, dedicate their relationship to God and receive God’s blessing.
In my response to the Rt Hon Member’s oral question of 9th March, I said:
“The pastoral guidance is being worked on, and the bishops remain committed to implementing their response to Living in Love and Faith, which the General Synod approved last month. The timing may depend on the July Synod’s response to the pastoral guidance and “Prayers of Love and Faith”. The Synod is a democratic body and, like this Parliament, its decisions cannot be guaranteed in advance.” (Commons Hansard 9th March 2023, col. 409)
That answer was given in the hope that the necessary work would be completed in time for the July Synod to consider it, but was not intended as a guarantee that it would. While I understand that the work to produce the new pastoral guidance is progressing well, it is not at the stage where it is possible for it to be considered at the July sessions of the General Synod. Instead Synod members will be given an update and an opportunity to ask questions. It will be possible to consider a timetable for the introduction of the prayers of love and faith once other key elements, including the new pastoral guidance, are in place. All efforts are being made to progress the work.
Homelessness & Poverty
Julian Knight MP (Ind, Solihull): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent progress the Church has made on its initiatives to combat (a) homelessness and (b) poverty.
Andrew Selous: The Bishop of Chelmsford, who is the Lead Bishop for Housing, has warmly welcomed the ’Homewards’ initiative of the Prince of Wales. The Church works extensively at a local level to tackle homelessness, often in partnership with charities and volunteers.
The report of the Archbishops’ Housing Commission, ‘Coming Home’, made many recommendations to church and Government and highlighted the work undertaken by the church to provide and develop truly affordable housing in local communities. It can be seen here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/archbishops-commissions/housing-church-and-community/about-coming-home(opens in a new tab)
77% of churches responding to a 2019 survey reported involvement in one or more forms of social action, with 35,000 social action projects being either directly run, hosted, or supported in other ways. A 2020 report from the National Churches Trust found that church buildings create £12.4 billion economic and social value every year, of which £10 billion is ‘non-market (social and wellbeing) value’.
Churches in city centres often open in the evening to be night shelters, particularly in the winter, and several Anglican cathedrals run dedicated projects. More information about one of these, the Archer project in Sheffield, can be found here: https://www.archerproject.org.uk/(opens in a new tab) Based in Sheffield Cathedral it provides a kitchen, medical room and educational and activity space. The project is also a multi-agency hub with GP, nursing and dentistry surgeries, outreach from rough sleeper teams, drug and alcohol outreach teams, hosting for mental health appointments, probation services, accommodation services and 1:1 team working with people with complex needs. In 2021 the project engaged with over 1,000 individuals a year, around 70-80 per day.
Church of England: Young People
Julian Knight: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to encourage participation by young people in its decision-making processes.
Andrew Selous: At the July 2023 meeting of the General Synod a Private Members Motion will be debated that proposes that five young members be co-opted to the General Synod and one to the Board of the Archbishops’ Council. GS 2298A, a paper prepared for that debate can be read here: gs-2298a-youth-synod-1.pdf (churchofengland.org)(opens in a new tab)
GS2298B, a paper circulated to the General Synod by the Secretary-General sets out plans for future engagement with young people and diocesan youth councils and can be seen here: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/gs-2298b-sec-gen-youth-representation.pdf
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-06-26/191067
Julian Knight: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to address changes in the level of (a) attendance by and (b) engagement of young people.
Andrew Selous: A key component of the Vision and Strategy programme of work is for the Church of England to become a “younger and more diverse” church. More information can be seen here:
https://www.churchofengland.org/about/vision-strategy/our-priorities/younger-and-more-diverse (opens in a new tab)
The 2023 report of the Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households, ‘Love Matters’, reinforced the need to empower children and young people and involve them in decisions about their future. It can be read here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/archbishops-commissions/families-and-households/love-matters-final-report-commission (opens in a new tab)
The Church of England’s Growing in Faith Foundation is also providing leadership opportunities for young people across the country. More details can be seen here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/growing-faith-foundation
Church Of England: Investment
Julian Knight: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to ensure that the Church’s investments align with its values.
Andrew Selous: The Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG) supports the Church Commissioners, the Church of England Pensions Board and the CBF Church of England Funds (which are managed by CCLA). It provides timely and practical advice to the three National Investing Bodies (NIBs) to enable them to invest in a way that is distinctly Christian and Anglican.
In particular, the advice of the EIAG relates to:
Assets, sectors or markets in which it would not be appropriate for the NIBs to invest
Stewardship of the NIBs’ investments (including voting and engagement)
Relationships with managers and other investors
Policy issues. The most recent annual review by the Ethical Investment Advisory Group can be viewed here: eiag_annual_review_2021-22.pdf (churchofengland.org)
Church of England: Rural Areas
Julian Knight: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to (a) address the challenges faced by rural communities and (b) ensure their access to religious services.
Andrew Selous: The General Synod will be holding a debate on ‘Revitalising the Parish’ at its meeting in York in July 2023. GS2314, the paper produced for the debate can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/gs-2314-revitalising-the-parish.pdf (opens in a new tab)
The paper mentions the recent Independent Review, which identified that more than half of Strategic Development Funding support has gone to working with existing churches – £94.9m over 2014-2021- and that examples of where that funding has gone include into rural sustainability. An example is in Salisbury diocese, where there has been investment in providing opportunities for ministry experience scheme participants, ordinands, and clergy to experience rural ministry. It also highlights ministry statistics that show there has been no change in the absolute number of stipendiary clergy in rural areas between 2016 (37% of stipendiary clergy) and 2020 (38%).
The National Church Institutions have distributed £390 million to support strategic mission and ministry in parishes over 2023-25, increasing to £1.3 billion by 2031. The Church Commissioners have made a further £5.8 million available to ensure that all curates in training can find a first incumbency post. Discerning vocations are being invested in, and dioceses are well on the way to doubling the number of people presenting for training compared to a decade ago. In 2020 a record number was presented for ordination compared to the same figures a decade earlier.
The Bishop of Exeter, as the Church of England’s lead bishop for rural affairs, has produced extensive resources and published a book about the pressure facing rural parishes, ‘How village churches thrive: a practical guide’ and the Diocese of Exeter has developed specific resources to support parishes, which are available on the website ‘Growing the Rural Church’: https://www.growingtheruralchurch.org/
The Church of England in Parliament 
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