General Synod Election Candidates 2026

The Revd Richard Anthony Seabrook
Chaplain, Ss Peter and Paul, Torrevieja,
Archdeaconry of Gibraltar

Proposer: The Revd Stephen Graham, Antwerp, Belgium
Seconder: The Revd Guy Diakese, Liege, Belgium

I was a Proctor in Convocation (elected member of
the House of Clergy) in the last quinquennium having
filled a casual vacancy and I am seeking re-election to
the General Synod.

Some information about me…

I am, first and foremost, a Chaplain in the Diocese in Europe exercising a
ministry as a Parish Priest. This has always been at the heart of how I believe
God has called me to serve in his Church – as a Priest and Pastor. This is the
most important model of ordained ministry there is. A Priest in a Parish. I have
been a Parish Priest in the Church of England and the Anglican Church of
Australia. I have been a Priest for over thirty years. I have served in this
Diocese since 2015.

I have also been privileged to have been:

Proctor in Convocation, Diocese of Chelmsford, 2001 – 2005.
A Member of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia, 2010 – 2015
Archdeacon and Vicar-General of The Murray, South Australia, 2009 – 2015
Administrator of The Murray, South Australia, 2010 – 2013

In the Diocese in Europe:

I am a member of Diocesan Synod and the Bishop´s Council.

I am the clergy representative on the Finance, Audit and Personnel Committee
where I have advocated for the clergy of the Diocese (both female and male)
when it comes to difficult financial situations concerning remuneration,
housing, terms and conditions of service, hardship and clergy well-being. I have
done this for clergy of all traditions.

I was on Bishop Robert´s advisory panel for the appointment of a Suffragan
Bishop.

Why am I seeking election again?

1. The model of parochial ministry is the best gift that the Church

of England has. It needs to upheld, promoted, supported and
encouraged. It is being eroded. Large mission areas with one or two
priests responsible for large areas means pastoral contact with a priest is
lost. Parish ministry is the bedrock of the Church of England.

1. The proposal to use 100 million pounds of Church Commissioners funds

for Project Spire comes at the worst possible time for the optics of
the Church of England when parochial ministry is being eroded.

1. Central and diocesan church finances need to be directed towards

paying for clergy and supporting parochial ministry and not for strategies
and advisors.

1. To uphold the Seal of the Confessional. I support better safeguarding

in the Church of England at all levels but no evidence has been produced
that the confessional has allowed abuse to go on undetected and
removal of the seal would make victims of abuse less likely to seek
counsel in this way. Rather the seal of the confessional, used wisely and
correctly, assists in good safeguarding practices. Undoing the seal of the
confessional is pastorally and sacramentally harmful. It must be upheld.

1. Living in love and faith has caused shocking levels of hurt, division,

acrimony, mistrust and, in places, hatred across the Church of England
and its dioceses. It has broken friendships and harmed the mission of the
Church. Where is the God of love and peace in any of this? We all need
to step back. There needs to be a major pause for healing and
reconciliation. The Holy Spirit is a uniting force but we seem to be ever
more divided which may show something is wrong.

1. Clergy well-being is under great pressure with financial pressures and

issues for clergy retirement. I will do my best to work for improvements
in clergy-well being for all clergy regardless of gender and tradition.

1. To promote the Sacramental life of the Church of England. In many

places the sacramental life of the Church is being watered down.
To be faithful to the tradition we have received in Word and
Sacrament.

1. To uphold Mutual Flourishing in the Church of England to allow all

our traditions to unite in one common purpose – the mission of the
Church and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of
justice and joy.

Please vote for me. Thank you. May the Lord bless you.

Yours, in Christ,
Richard Seabrook

[email protected] / +34 693 932 438

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