Information	Where to find us
Media Centre	Home

home / media centre / statement on the church commissioners' expenditure on mission

Communication resources

Tell us what you think about our website

What is RSS?

For media inquiries only, contact the Press Office.
Tel: 020 78981326
Fax: 020 78981636
E-mail: cofecomms@c-of-e.org.uk

news EXTRAS

Working with the media

Useful links

External links to resources for parish magazine editors

Statement on the Church Commissioners' expenditure on mission

27 February 2007

Responding to media reports, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and acting chairman of the Board of Governors of the Church Commissioners, said:

"It is simply not true that the parish mission fund is being raided to pay for overdue repairs on major heritage buildings. The truth of the matter is that the Church - in common with many organisations - is operating in a new context of pensions regulation.

"All of the money a diocese receives from the Church Commissioners is mission funding. All bishops are involved in mission and are looking at ways of taking all the opportunities they can, particularly in proposed new housing areas, new communications hubs and new commercial areas.

"The Church Commissioners are committed to supporting the mission of the church, particularly in areas of need and opportunity.

"Any discussion about the expenditure of the Church Commissioners over the next three years, 2008 to 2011 is pure speculation. Next month we will receive the actuarial review of our pension liabilities which are the first call on our expenditure. They represent around 60 per cent of the money that we distribute.

"Only when we have received this review will we, and the Archbishops' Council be able to decide how the money is spent. We shall be consulting across the Church before any decision is reached."