On 3rd July 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:
Genocide
Adam Jogee MP (Lab, Newcastle-under-Lyme): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to help support victims of genocide.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Genocide”
The Bishop of Leicester spoke in a debate on the Places of Worship Renewal Fund on 25th June 2026, highlighting several shortcomings in the new fund and urging the government to look at long term planning for support of this kind of funding:
The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I am extremely grateful to the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Prentis, for securing this debate and, indeed, for her wider service to the Church. I congratulate her daughter and son-in-law as well. I thank the many thousands of people across our country who play a part in caring for our wonderful churches and churchyards.
My fellow Lords spiritual regret that they are not able to join this debate; many are with their candidates for ordination services taking place this weekend. I know, however, that they share my support for the places of worship renewal fund and the recognition from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport that places of worship are
“part of who we are as a nation”.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester speaks in debate on Places of Worship Renewal Fund”On 24th June, the Bishop of Manchester moved a motion to direct that the Clergy Conduct Measure be presented to His Majesty the King for Royal Assent. The motion passed:
The Lord Bishop of Manchester: That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Clergy Conduct Measure be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent.
Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab, Chief Whip): My Lords, I have it in command from His Majesty the King to acquaint the House that His Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Clergy Conduct Measure, has consented to place his interest, as far as affected by the Measure, at the disposal of Parliament for the purpose of the Measure.
The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, the Clergy Conduct Measure is a vital part of the Church of England’s ongoing reform of clergy discipline and safeguarding. During the passage of this Measure through the General Synod, the Church has acknowledged that the current clergy discipline system does not always serve complainants well. Too often, they have found the process opaque and painfully slow. Equally, it has not served clergy well, leaving many in a state of prolonged anxiety and limbo, worried they will lose house and job.
Continue reading “House of Lords: Clergy Conduct Measure”On 23rd June 2026, the Clergy Conduct Measure was debated by the Delegated Legislation Committee in the House of Commons and passed through the House:
Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea) [Second Church Estates Commissioner]: I beg to move,
That the Committee has considered the Clergy Conduct Measure (HC 221).
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairwomanship, Ms Lewell. I know that for many colleagues across the House the prospect of being on a Delegated Legislation Committee considering Church of England legislation is not the true highlight of their parliamentary week—and in this weather; I am so sorry. However, while our setting today might be routine, the legislation before us is anything but. The Measure is a cornerstone of the Church of England’s ongoing vital reform of clergy discipline and safeguarding.
Continue reading “House of Commons: Clergy Conduct Measure”On 18th June 2026, in the House of Commons, the Second Church Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following answers to questions from MPs:
Churches: Disabled Access
Daniel Francis MP (Lab, Bexleyheath and Crayford) asked: 3. What steps the Church of England is taking to ensure that churches are accessible for disabled people.
Marsha De Cordova (Lab, Battersea): The Church of England is committed to improving accessibility, so that all who wish to attend churches, whether for worship or community activities, are able to do so. Parishes may apply to the parish accessibility fund for up to £50,000 or a small grant of up to £5,000 for project proposals to improve accessibility features, such as the installation of an accessible toilet, step-free access and production of large-print materials.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Questions: Disabled Access to Churches, Cost of Living, Places of Worship Renewal Fund, Support for Christians in Palestine”In the House of Commons, Marsha De Cordova MP, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, gave answers to the following questions from MPs on 16th April 2026:
Christians in Palestine
Kate Osamor MP (Lab, Edmonton & Winchmore Hill) asked: 1. What steps the Church of England is taking to support Christians in Palestine.
Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea): The Church remains steadfast in its support for Palestinians. The Bishops of Southwark, Gloucester, Chelmsford and Norwich have publicly highlighted their concerns by condemning the increased settler violence and calling for the reopening of holy places. They have joined His Holiness the Pope and the local heads of Churches, who have called for the protection of innocent civilians. They are offering sanctuary, working for peace and reconciliation, and building intercommunity trust.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Questions: Christians in Palestine, Children and Young People, Project Spire, Extremism, Child Poverty, Places of Worship Renewal Fund, Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Archbishop of Canterbury, Small Churches”On 20th March 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:
Church of England: Ground Rent and Leasehold
Sir James Cleverly MP (Con, Braintree): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England had made representations to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on (a) restrictions on ground rents and (b) leasehold reform in the last year.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Ground Rent and Leasehold, Council Tax”On 26th February 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following answers to MPs in the House of Commons:
Jessica Toale MP (Lab, Bournemouth West) asked: 2. What steps the Church of England is taking to support deprived communities.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Questions: Deprived Communities, Church Attendance, Christian Communities in Palestine, Historical Forced Adoptions, Sudan Conflict”On 24th February 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:
Church of England
Julia Buckley MP (Lab, Shrewsbury): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, when the Church will be opening the Church of England Redress Scheme to applications.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church of England Redress Scheme”On 5th February 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:
Cameron Thomas MP (LD, Tewkesbury): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place within the Church of England.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Safeguarding”
The Church of England in Parliament 
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