Joining up with the Channel Islands is a step closer
The General Synod of The Church of England has approved recommendations that Episcopal oversight of the Channel Islands should be transferred to the Bishop of Salisbury.
Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
The recommendation was made by the Archbishop’s Commission on the relationship of the Channel Islands to the wider Church of England.
Members of Synod, including the Dean of Guernsey and the Bishop of Winchester, spoke in favour of the motion.
The Dean of Guernsey, the Very Revd Tim Barker said the motion had widespread support in the Islands.
The Bishop of Salisbury, Nicholas Holtam, said:
“I'm delighted the Synod has endorsed the proposal that the Islands should be attached to the Diocese of Salisbury.
"This will now go forward to the next stage including consideration by the Island authorities, with a view to approval by the Privy Council later this year.”
After Synod, Dean Tim tweeted on behalf of himself and the Dean of Jersey, the Very Revd Mike Keirle:
"Delighted that @Synod has given final approval to the Channel Islands Measure, which allows our transfer to @DioSalisbury later in the year. Two very happy deans! Many thanks to @CofEWinchester and @CanterburyDio for their care and support for the islands."
Our Diocesan Synod, along with both the Guernsey and Jersey Deanery Synods, has voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission that the Channel Islands should join our Diocese.
The Archbishop appointed a Commission on the relationship of the Channel Islands to the wider Church of England in 2018, and it concluded in October 2019 that, for a number of reasons - from ease of transport links to episcopal capacity for oversight - the Channel Islands would be strengthened in a new relationship with the Diocese of Salisbury.
Document Actions