by Bijan Omrani, Telegraph
If the CofE is serious about its survival and the health of its congregations, it needs to put its clergy first
It is too early for the judgment of official surveys or opinion pollsters, but if the anecdotal evidence of clergy on social media is anything to go by, 2026 has been another bumper year for Easter church attendance. Not just in London but in cathedral cities and country parishes, the talk has been of pews full to bursting and standing room only.
If this is a sign not of a Quiet Revival but at least a “vibe shift” or a new openness to Christianity, one would think that the Church of England would be hurrying to capitalise on it, by doing its utmost to ensure that there were enough clergy to deal with those turning up at the churches, curious for faith and hungry for spiritual sustenance.
But, if the latest news is anything to go by, the shepherds will soon be in short supply. A letter, recently sent by the Area Bishop of Kingston to clergy and officials under his oversight, has warned of “challenging financial realities”. In language rather more reminiscent of Yes Minister than a minister of religion, he says that “it may be time to try something different or reshape ministry provision to be more sustainable”.
The wider diocese of Southwark will be starting an “intentional piece of work around planning our diocesan and parish finances in a way that will be sustainable for the longer term”, and archdeacons will be dispatched to “examine parish costs and clergy posts”. In other words, there will soon be fewer vicars.
The bishop’s letter highlights problems which are being felt across the Church. Donations in the collection plate have not kept up with inflation (although parishioners still give about £1bn annually). A 10 per cent increase in clergy stipends (which have declined in value since 2011) set to come into effect this month is difficult for dioceses to fund. A one-off £200m support programme by the Church Commissioners to help pay for this increase will also taper away over the next nine years.
These are undoubtedly real problems. However, one would feel more sympathetic to these laments if one felt the Church had been a more careful steward of its wealth to this point.