The Latest Breaking News from the General Synod

Will a Robot Give Your Next Sermon? Church of England To Issue New Rigorous Guidance on AI Tech

The Church of England is drafting guidelines for vicars on using AI, acknowledging its growing role in sermon writing and addressing ethical concerns raised by religious leaders.

International Business Times UK · Jul 13

All things bright and beautiful need to be sustainable as well, says Church of England’s new flower policy

Anyone on the flower rota at England’s parish churches will now be reconsidering the way they do their arrangements, after Church of England leaders voted to use more seasonal and local flowers.

The Conversation · Feb 13

New archbishop of Canterbury vows to build trust in how church tackles abuse

Sarah Mullally says Church of England has ‘fallen tragically short’ after predecessor resigned over significant failings

The Guardian - UK · Feb 10

Bishop: Church vote a missed chance to show abuse victims their pain is heard

Representatives of survivors said the outcome was a ‘punch in the gut’.

Evening Standard · Feb 12, 2025

Members of General Synod try to stop opening speech by archbishop of York

Attempt made to block opening address by under fire Stephen Cottrell, who admits that he has ‘made mistakes’

The Guardian - UK · Feb 10, 2025

Challenging times for Church, says Archbishop as he notes abuse victims’ anger

Monday is the first day of five days of Synod debate and various votes on issues including safeguarding at Church House in London.

Evening Standard · Feb 10, 2025

C of E should offer working-class people apprenticeships, Burnley vicar says

Rev Alex Frost calls for church to encourage vocations as an alternative to theological studies

The Guardian - UK · Jan 23, 2025

Church of England weighs new watchdog to police abuse failures after Justin Welby resignation

The general synod will meet in February following the fall-out from a child abuse inquiry that led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury

The Independent UK · Jan 23, 2025

John Smyth: Timeline of abuse scandal that led Archbishop of Canterbury to resign

The independent Makin report concluded that Smyth’s abuse was covered up within the Church of England for years

The Independent UK · Nov 13, 2024

What Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby knew of John Smyth’s abuse and when

The Makin Review concluded that prolific abuser John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013.

Evening Standard · Nov 12, 2024