General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd Marc Wolverson
Candidate for General Synod — Diocese of Chester
Proposed by: Revd Deborah Michelle Wilkinson, Associate Minister, Birkenhead Priory &
Wirral Waters Mission Lead
Seconded by: Revd Natalie Maxwell, Assistant Curate, Oxton, St Saviour
Dear Fellow Clergy,
I am standing for election to General Synod as a Proctor in Convocation for the Diocese of Chester, and I
would be honoured to have your first-preference vote.
I am Vicar of Oxton, St Saviour, a former Area Dean of Leyland and former Vice-Chair of the Blackburn
House of Clergy. I previously served on General Synod for Chester (2005–2009) and Sodor and Man (2011–
2013), and currently serve as Rector of the Chester Chapter of the Society of Catholic Priests.
I am a Catholic Anglican with an evangelical heart. I have been an incumbent of four growing churches, a
Training Incumbent for three curates, and for five years served as Diocesan Spiritual Director for Cursillo
Chester, working with a dedicated team in evangelism and renewal. My Anglo-Iranian heritage and
experience of the Anglican Church both in Britain and overseas have also given me a particular commitment
to diversity, mission and engagement with other faith communities.
If elected, I would seek to be a constructive, independent and listening voice for the clergy of Chester. My
priorities would include:
A Church united in mission, despite our differences
The Church of England is at its best when different traditions can learn from one another. I am deeply
concerned that our ability to disagree respectfully is being lost. Catholic, evangelical, liberal and charismatic
traditions all have gifts to offer the Church.
I will listen carefully to those with whom I disagree and seek to ensure that every voice is heard. We do not
have to agree about everything in order to worship together, pray together and proclaim Christ together. At a
time when our society is increasingly uncertain about faith, we need to spend less energy fighting one
another and more energy sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Living in Love and Faith: truth, compassion and communion
I welcome the progress that has been made in making the Church more welcoming to people in same-sex
relationships, while recognising that deeply held theological convictions remain on all sides. The Church
must find a way of remaining doctrinally coherent while making genuine provision for same-sex couples and
for clergy and congregations who cannot conscientiously participate in such provision.
The Prayers of Love and Faith and the question of their future now require careful and honest consideration.
I will seek a settlement that allows people of different convictions to remain within the Church of England with
integrity, dignity and mutual respect.
My own position has developed over many years of prayer, study and pastoral ministry. I understand the
traditional Christian teaching on sexuality and marriage, having first encountered the Christian faith within
that tradition. Yet my friendships and pastoral relationships with same-sex couples have convinced me that
we need greater provision to support, care for and bless people in faithful, lifelong relationships. I do not
believe it is reasonable or realistic to expect people in such relationships to abandon them in order to remain
in good standing with the Church or with God.
I am not a “card-carrying” progressive. I am an ordinary Christian and priest who has thought, prayed and
listened carefully on these matters. I will defend the position I have reached while respecting the integrity of
those who have reached a different conclusion.
Safeguarding: putting survivors and safety first
The Makin Review and the wider safeguarding failures of recent years have demonstrated the urgent need
to rebuild trust. The Church must put the welfare of children, vulnerable adults, victims and survivors before
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institutional reputation or convenience. The Church of England has rightly committed itself to implementing
the Makin recommendations, but important work remains, including the development of genuinely
independent safeguarding arrangements.
I will support safeguarding structures that are as independent as humanly possible, with clear accountability
and proper support for survivors. Safeguarding should never become a matter of party politics or theological
tribalism. It is a fundamental Christian responsibility.
Parish ministry, mission and our clergy
I strongly support the parish church as the primary focus of mission and ministry. I welcome fresh
expressions, church plants and new initiatives, but these should strengthen rather than displace the parish
church. Our parish churches are embedded in their communities and are uniquely placed to offer a
continuing Christian presence.
I want to see more national resources reaching ordinary parishes, enabling them to grow in confidence and
capacity for evangelism, discipleship and community engagement. We should invest not only in new
initiatives, but in the churches already serving their communities faithfully every week.
I am equally committed to the wellbeing and proper support of our clergy. The expectations placed upon
clergy have never been greater, and this is a particular concern in our own Diocese. I would support a more
genuinely pastoral approach to clergy review, including regular annual conversations focused not simply on
performance but on wellbeing, vocation, workload and the support needed to flourish in ministry.
Diversity and inclusion
As a half-Iranian priest, diversity is not an abstract issue for me. I served for five years on the national
Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, including visiting dioceses to encourage greater
engagement with diversity.
I want to see a Church in which people from every ethnic and cultural background can flourish in leadership
and worship. I also bring experience of Christian-Muslim dialogue, including through the Christian-Muslim
Encounters initiative in Blackburn Diocese, the Light Foundation in Preston, and I have a strong working
relationship with the Wirral-Dean Centre in Birkenhead. We need a Church confident enough in the
uniqueness of Christ to engage generously and respectfully with people of other faiths.
A voice for Chester
I have the experience of having served on General Synod before, but I do not take for granted what it means
to represent you. I would seek to be accessible, independent-minded and willing to listen, while bringing the
experience of parish ministry and the concerns of clergy directly to Synod.
The Church of England faces significant challenges. But I remain hopeful. I believe passionately in the
Church, in the ministry of its clergy, in the vocation of our parish churches, and above all in the transforming
power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please allow me the privilege of serving as your Synod Representative by giving me your First
Preference vote.
If you have questions about any of the issues raised in this address, or about any other matter, please do not
hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
With every blessing,
Marc Wolverson
Vicar, Oxton, St Saviour
Candidate for General Synod
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