Archbishop of Canterbury sets tone for her leadership of the CofE – calm, consistent, compassionate
The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, outlined the template for her term of office, in an address to the church’s parliament, the general synod, in London yesterday. She emphasised her commitment to a “serious and focussed approach” to safeguarding “where in the past we have fallen tragically short”, saying it is a “fundamental, non-negotiable responsibility”. The church is riven with factions and has been on the brink of schism, but she will approach her role with “calm, consistency and compassion” and said the church should “aspire to treat one another with love, dignity and respect”. She said “transparent processes are central to the health of any institution”, adding that “we have too often failed to recognise or take seriously the abuse of power in all its forms”. And she thanked members of synod, which has often lapsed into acrimonious debate, for their time, faith and love. She paid tribute to the Church of England’s presence in every community – parishes and chaplaincies – and said she had been called to serve “not through developing new programmes and initiatives, but by being a shepherd who works collaboratively in partnership, enabling others to flourish”. Full text is here
Clergy conduct tribunals to sit in public
A new Clergy Conduct Measure was passed, outlining that tribunals will sit in public except where it is agreed to be “in the interests of justice” to sit in private, or in cases specified in the rules. This reversed a previous decision that the tribunals would be in private, after MPs, in a rare move, objected. This measure has to go through parliament to reach royal assent.
Call for covenants with churches and wider society in social care
The synod called on the government to develop covenants among the whole of society to enable care for disabled and elderly people. This is a priority for Sarah Mullally, who was once the nation’s chief nursing officer. Members told how churches can help other services provide the package of practical, spiritual, emotional and mental support. The government has just launched a plan for covenants between local government and community organisations to deliver front line social support.
Review into funding of low income parishes
The formula to fund low income parishes is to be reviewed after synod heard that 12 dioceses receive no allocation of funds, despite having socially deprived areas. In one case, synod was told that two deprived parishes were not given agreed funding because the diocese held on to it instead, depriving them of a priest. The review is part of a wider consideration of how ministry is funded.
The Bishop of Guildford‘s message to the diocese
Synod was interrupted briefly for an announcement about the Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, who has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. In a letter to his diocese, he said a scan had found a substantial tumour in his pancreas and smaller lesions elsewhere. The Bishop, who is 64, said the news had come as a severe shock to his family. He intends to continue his duties for the time being, at least until Easter, recognising that “any decision we make at this point is necessarily provisional”.
In depth Synod reports in the Church Times
Other news
Buddhist monks’ pilgrimage of peace ends in Washington DC
A group of Buddhist monks completed a 15 week, 2,300 mile long peace pilgrimage yesterday, arriving in Washington DC, greeted by large crowds. Nineteen monks from Theravada Buddhist monasteries, began the journey from a Buddhist centre in Fort Worth on 26 October, as a “spiritual offering, an invitation to live peace through everyday actions, mindful steps and open hearts”. Wearing saffron and maroon robes, their journey was seen by millions of people across the world on social media, with crowds gathering along the route to watch and support them. Their silent procession of peace contrasted with a violent period in US history, as ICE raids in Minnesota resulted in two deaths. Today, the monks plan to walk through Capitol Hill to hold a closing ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial. Associated Press report here and pics here
Catholic bishop warns Treaty expiry may lead to nuclear arms race
Catholic Bishop Nicholas Hudson has warned that the expiry of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the last remaining major nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, may lead to a nuclear arms race. Bishop Hudson, lead bishop for conflict and peacebuilding at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, says the Treaty’s expiry on 6 February “marks a setback for nuclear arms control at a time of already heightened geopolitical fragility. We must not return to an unchecked arms race. We must make strenuous efforts, not just to avoid an arms race but to achieve substantial multilateral cuts to nuclear and other weapon stocks.”
Hecklers disrupt launch of Reform party’s Reform Jewish Alliance
Jewish protesters heckled Nigel Farage at the launch of the Reform Jewish Alliance, held at the Central synagogue in London’s West End. Jewish News reports that he said in an ideal world a separate Jewish group would not be necessary. The hecklers shouted out “You incite them on refugees”, and “My mother didn’t fight the fascists in Cable Street for this”. Outside, protesters held banners and accused the synagogue of providing a platform for racism, xenophobia and antisemitism. The meeting’s chair, Alan Mendoza, defended Farage saying: “There is not an antisemitic bone in Nigel’s body.”
Spike in antisemitic incidents after Manchester synagogue attack
The Community Security Trust reports that 40 antisemitism incidents in the UK were recorded on the day of the Manchester synagogue attack and a further 40 the day after, the highest daily totals of 2025. More than half of the incidents across both days were directly related to the attack, in which two men were killed, with messages celebrating it. In total, there were 3,700 anti-Jewish hate incidents recorded in 2025, the second highest total ever and four per cent up from 2024. Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, the national policing lead for hate crime, said: “The tensions that exist in our society have not abated and are both deeper and more long-standing than anything we have experienced in modern times.”
Profile of ‘influential Muslim politician’ Anas Sarwar
Hyphen Online has re-published a profile of Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour and one of “the most influential Muslim politicians in Britain”. He was at the centre of the political storm this week, calling for Keir Starmer to quit, only to find he was unsupported as the entire cabinet backed the Prime Minister. The profile first published in June 2024, charts his background, as the son of Mohammad Sarwar, Britain’s first Muslim MP. He became leader in 2021, well regarded for his tenacity in re-building the party, however with one observation that he is “unlikely to rock the boat”. Article is here
Pope’s overseas destinations for 2026
The Holy See says a one day papal visit to the Principality of Monaco is under consideration for the end of March. It would be the first visit there by a Pope in modern history. The announcement followed news that the Pope is not planning to visit the United States this year, despite speculation. The National Catholic Reporter says that Pope Leo is to visit Angola and Equatorial Guinea, and possibly Cameroon. Local statements strongly suggest a visit to Spain and bishops in Peru have expressed strong hopes for a visit later in the year. No details of these visits have been issued by the Vatican.
US priest becomes guardian to young children of detained asylum seeker
NBC Washington reports that a Maryland priest, Rev Vidal Rivas, and his wife, have become guardians of two children aged four and 18 months, after their mother, an asylum seeker, was detained by immigration officials during a routine appointment. If the mother is deported, the priest will take her children to join her in her home country, which has not been identified in the report. Vidal Rivas and his wife have signed guardian documents for a total of 26 children who might face a similar scenario. Last year, five to seven families each week were designating guardians for their children.
St Bride’s, the journalists’ church, celebrates 650th anniversary of Guild of St Bride
The journalists’ church St Bride’s, in Fleet Street, has held a service to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the Guild of St Bride, which was established in 1375 under King Edward III to support worship there. The guest of honour was the Queen, the Guild’s patron. The Guild was inactive for hundreds of years until 1954, when it was re-established following the Blitz. Today it has 142 members who assist in liturgy and support the community. The Guild also funds bursaries for journalism students at City University, some of whom were at the commemorative service. St Bride’s says it offers a spiritual home to journalists, editors, photographers, and support staff, from all faiths.
