On 19th January 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:
John Smyth
Adam Jogee MP (Lab, Newcastle-under-Lyme): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Church has had with the Government of Zimbabwe on John Smyth QC.
Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea): The National Church Institutions of the Church of England have engaged with the Church of Southern Africa and the Church of the Province of Central Africa regarding the historic safeguarding cases relating to John Smyth. The two provinces of the Anglican Communion are independent from the Church of England, and discussions with the Government of Zimbabwe would be a matter for the Province of Central Africa.
The Church of Southern Africa held its own review into the activity of John Smyth’s activities which was published on the 3rd February 2025 and can be found here: https://anglicanchurchsa.org/archbishops-panel-of-inquiry-pinpoints-churchs-failures-on-smyth-abuse-report/(opens in a new tab) and Archbishop Thabo published a statement, which can be read here: https://anglicanchurchsa.org/archbishop-thabo-apologises-for-churchs-failures-over-abuse/(opens in a new tab)
There have also been extensive discussions with the Province of Central Africa, and Archbishop Chama has been encouraged to undertake a similar review to that held by the Church of Southern Africa.
Adam Jogee: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what lessons the Church has learned from the case of John Smyth QC.
Marsha De Cordova: The Church of England commissioned the Makin Review into the historic abuse surrounding John Smyth, which was published 7th November 2024 and can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/independent-review-churchs-handling-smyth-case-published(opens in a new tab)
Following the publication of the Makin Review, a task and finish group was established, which most recently produced a progress report for the February meeting of the General Synod. https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2025-11/gs-misc-1433-makin-task-and-finish-interim-report_0_0.pdf (opens in a new tab)
The work in this area remains a high priority and is regularly reviewed. It is expected to publish its next progress report ahead of the July 2026 sitting of the General Synod.
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
Kirsteen Sullivan MP (Lab, Bathgate and Linlithgow): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions she has had with colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the long-term future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
All faith communities with listed buildings are still waiting for clarity from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on what will happen when the current scheme ends in March 2026. Over 200 MPs have raised concerns in the past year about the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. This uncertainty is already delaying essential repairs and community projects. In the Hon Lady for Bathgate and Linlithgow’s constituency, for example, St Michael’s Church is preparing major repairs to its roof and walls, which the Kirk anticipates costing £1.1 million.
In my role as the Second Church Estates Commissioner, I met the Minister for Heritage just before Christmas and was assured that the Government will publish the evaluation report and provide an update on the future of the scheme soon. I continue to work closely with the Church Buildings Department of the Church Commissioners, other partners, and faith communities to ensure a sustainable long-term solution for our buildings. I also discussed with the Minister how historic churches serve as anchors of local identity and community life. Historic places of worship contribute an estimated £55 billion in social value, and the National Churches Trust has shown that every £1 invested in a church generates £16 in community benefit.
While I am not responsible for churches in Scotland, I will write to the hon. Member for Bathgate and Linlithgow to introduce her to the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office, which can offer more tailored local advice and support.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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