Communication with Diocese Leaders

Jodie Gosling, the Labour MP for Nuneaton, asked what steps the Church is taking to help ensure that people can contact and communicate with the leaders of their dioceses. Marsha De Cordova, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, responded that Gosling's constituency is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Coventry, which currently has a vacancy for the diocesan bishop. However, she stated that all the contact details for the bishop's office, diocesan staff, and cathedral staff are available on the website, and contact details for local clergy can be found on the website A Church Near You. Gosling thanked De Cordova for her response and welcomed her to her new role, which she said Gosling is doing a brilliant job in. Gosling then raised concerns from her constituents in Nuneaton about finding available burial plots, and asked De Cordova to update the House on proposals to increase burial capacity in England, given the recent consultation from the Law Commission. De Cordova responded that the Church of England contributed to the proposals developed by the Law Commission, and that they have developed those proposals sensitively to address the complex questions around burial and cremation law. She acknowledged the growing need and pressure for burial space, as well as the challenges facing burial grounds and maintenance. De Cordova explained that reusing grave spaces in churchyards is a long-standing and lawful practice in the Church of England, ensuring that existing remains are left undisturbed. However, she noted that some churchyards are declared full and are closed by law, and therefore unable to be reopened for new burials.