Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Diocesan Support: Interregnums

Thursday 23 May 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Church of England dioceses arrange for neighbouring clergy to support parishes in interregnum.
  • Kevin Foster inquired about specific support for lay ministers and church wardens in Paignton.
  • Diocese of Exeter has produced a guide to assist church wardens and parochial church council during interregnum.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Foster Con
Religion & Faith
Context

The Church of England has been assessing the adequacy of support provided to parishes experiencing an interregnum, a period without a parish priest.

Question

What recent assessment the Church of England has made of the adequacy of the support offered by dioceses to a parish in an interregnum?

Answer from Andrew Selous

During an interregnum, a diocese will usually arrange for clergy in neighbouring parishes and across the local deanery to take services and be available to support the church wardens and the parochial church council. It is important that those local volunteers are well supported during an interregnum when they lack the visible and present leadership of a parish priest.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide any recent assessment or specific findings from the Church regarding support adequacy during interregnums.

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Q2 Kevin Foster Con
Religion & Faith
Context

The combined parishes of St Paul's and Christ Church serve a large part of Paignton and are currently experiencing an interregnum.

Question

My hon. Friend will know that the combined parishes of St Paul's and Christ Church serve a large part of Paignton but are currently in interregnum. As he outlined, during interregnums, lay ministers and church wardens have to step forward. What extra support does the Church make available to them when they do so?

Answer from Andrew Selous

It is typical of my hon. Friend to take this level of interest in his clergy and churches, as I know he does regularly. The diocese of Exeter has produced a guide to help church wardens and the parochial church council during an interregnum. A duty of pastoral care is clearly owed to all those who keep the church going in the absence of a minister.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details on additional support beyond mentioning a guide produced by the diocese and a general duty of pastoral care.

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