Church Commissioners

In the House of Commons debate, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova, outlined the Church of England's efforts to support parish life in small rural communities. She highlighted the Church's extensive network of 16,000 parish churches, over half of which are located in rural areas, and the role these buildings play as hubs for community activities, such as food banks, post offices, and credit unions. In response, the Labour MP for Carlisle, Ms Julie Minns, raised the specific case of the parish of Bewcastle, which is known for its historic Bewcastle cross. She requested that the Church Commissioners consider providing additional funding to improve the village hall and support the community's efforts to tackle social isolation and loneliness. The debate then expanded to cover a range of topics. The Democratic Unionist Party MP for Strangford, Jim Shannon, emphasized the practical purposes of churches, such as caring for the elderly and children, and urged the Church Commissioners to ensure these community-focused initiatives continue alongside the preaching of the gospel. The discussion also touched on the Church's approach to supporting the development of housing on derelict former church sites, with the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne, Josh Babarinde, urging the Commissioners to develop the site of the former St Elisabeth's church into affordable housing. The Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, Blake Stephenson, raised the issue of ensuring that residents in new towns and villages have access to places of worship, and the Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Luke Myer, inquired about the Church's response to the findings of an independent review into its safeguarding practices. The debate also included recognition of the positive impact of individual members of the clergy, with the Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, Greg Smith, highlighting the work of Reverend Canon David Williams in the Princes Risborough community. Additionally, the debate touched on the Church's efforts to develop interfaith understanding, with the Labour MP for Reading Central, Matt Rodda, commending the work of local faith communities in his diverse constituency. Finally, the debate addressed the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Church of England, with the Labour MP for Brent East, Dawn Butler, and the Independent MP for Canterbury, Rosie Duffield, celebrating the contributions of pioneering women clergy, including Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin. Throughout the debate, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova, responded to the various questions and concerns raised by the MPs, demonstrating the Church's commitment to supporting local communities and addressing the challenges they face.