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Pastoral Administration

This page explains our responsibilities under the Pastoral Measure 1983 in connection with proposals submitted by dioceses for pastoral reorganisation and links to appropriate resource material.

The Pastoral Measure 1983 is a Measure of the General Synod confirmed by both Houses of Parliament. It replaced the earlier Pastoral Measure 1968 which itself consolidated and amended previous Acts of Parliament and Measures of the former Church Assembly. It provides the legal process for rearranging benefices and parishes and deciding the future of redundant churches so that the Church's limited resources of money and ministers can be deployed as effectively as possible.

New arrangements for pastoral care are given legal effect by schemes made by the Commissioners (pastoral schemes) or by orders made by the bishop (pastoral orders). Sections 17-36 of the Measure cover the matters which may be dealt with by a scheme while s.37 lists more minor matters which may be dealt with by an order. S.14 of the Measure enables all matters capable of being dealt with by an order to be dealt with by the diocese under a simplified procedure if all the interested parties agree in writing.

Resources

Our principal resource for those concerned with pastoral reorganisation is the Code of Recommended Practice to the Pastoral Measure 1983. We have also produced Frequently Asked Questions about the Measure.

Click here to access current legislation about pastoral reorganisation matters.

Pastoral Division
Church House, Great Smith Street
LONDON
SW1P 3AZ

Telephone: 020 7898 1000
Fax: 020 7898 1873
Email: pastoral@c-of-e.org.uk.

Bishops' Mission Orders

Part V of the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 includes new provisions for bishops' mission orders which bishops can use to endorse and provide oversight of mission initiatives. Further information can be found by clicking here. The main provisions of Part V come into force on 31st March 2008.