General Synod Election Candidates 2026

The Parish
My experience of ministry over 17 years in north London is that
congregations grow when the work of the parish is done faithfully and
persistently. More than this, by its abiding presence and engagement the parish church
builds friendships and networks of association, contributes to the common good,
and shares with the wider community in its joys, sorrows and significant events.
The parish is the bedrock of the Church of England’s ecclesiology. The visible church,
in which “the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly ministered” (Article
XIX), is embedded in the local community, with its unique story, through the parish.
It has a commitment to place, and a mission towards the whole population, expressed in
the liturgy which is its public duty, in the cure of souls which parish priests share with the
bishop, and in the building which should be a place of sanctuary for all.
Increasingly, however, parishes are stretched and under financial pressure. Stipendiary
clergy are down 28% since 2000. The Church Commissioners’ historic endowment was
intended primarily for parishes, but in 2018 this restriction was removed. £176 million
was spent through the Strategic Development Fund, and £476 million has been spent on
or allocated to the Diocesan Investment Programme, for time-limited projects which are
not parishes. Meanwhile, alongside these new projects, parishes struggle with limited
resources and stipends. In 2024 the net contribution to parishes nationally from the
historic endowment was just 13% of the total amount available.
I support the manifesto of Save the Parish in this election.
We need to rebalance spending and reprioritise the parish, ensure
good training and support for stipendiary parish clergy, and reform the
Mission and Pastoral Measure so that it is fit for its stated purpose,
which is “to make better provision for the cure of souls”.
Inclusion, Racial Justice and Sexuality
I believe in an inclusive vision for the Church, rooted in the common baptismal identity of
all the faithful in Christ, and that God rejoices in our diversity.
General Synod must strengthen the church’s commitment to racial justice by hearing the
voices of minorities and the excluded, and holding power and privilege open to scrutiny.
At the same time, we must not neglect those communities whose experience of poverty
and alienation is being exploited by the far-right and framed as fear of the other. The
Gospel of justice and reconciliation impels us to value all those who are marginalised,
and to help build a better and more hopeful future for all.
I affirm the grace and goodness in faithful committed same-sex relationships. The votes
in the last Synod in favour of stand-alone services using the Prayers of Love and Faith,
and for an end to the bar on ministry for those in same-sex marriages, are unfinished
business which must now be taken forward without further delay.

General Synod Election Address - Matthew Duckett
Vicar of Saint Matthias, Colindale

Mutual Flourishing
The Five Guiding Principles
established a way forward,
without any time limit, for holding
our diversity in unity, respecting
conscience, and enabling all to
flourish. This commitment must
continue to be honoured. I would
be impoverished without my
colleagues of different theological
convictions. Our witness is
weakened when we are divided,
and the gifts that different
members of the Body bring enrich
the whole. “Except these abide in
the ship, ye cannot be saved.”
(Acts 27.31)
Safeguarding
Diocesan safeguarding teams
work hard in often challenging
circumstances to deliver training,
promote a safer Church, and
respond to disclosures. There is
however an intrinsic conflict of
interest when the reputation of
the institution is at stake, as
safeguarding teams are employed
by the institution. This can lead to
victims and survivors of abuse
finding that justice is elusive and
the process of seeking it causes
further trauma. Independent
safeguarding is the way forward.
The Fund for Healing, Repair
and Justice (“Project Spire”)
The Body of Christ is wounded by
the sins of the past, and the sins
of slavery are part of our own
history. It is right to acknowledge
this and to seek the healing of
those wounds. But the rationale
of the Fund is unclear. Healing is
about grace, and is non-
transactional. Repair and Justice
are more complex ideas which
need further elucidation. Synod
needs more detail and clarity to
be sure that this will be an
effective and focussed use of
Church Commissioners’ assets.
Community Cohesion and Solidarity
In seeking to be good neighbours and partners with
other communities, I am particularly conscious of the
Jewish communities in my own part of northwest
London, and the rise in antisemitic attacks. These are
our neighbours who live in the shadow of constant
threat to their persons, businesses and places of
worship as they go about their daily lives. Likewise, the
rise in Islamophobia, and its weaponisation by various
groups, is deeply concerning.
Christians have positive stories to tell of community
organisation and shared values across differences of
faith, and must help to counter the misinformation, fear
and hostility being directed against our neighbours and
friends.
At the same time, we stand in solidarity with Christians
throughout the world, in particular those suffering
persecution or adversity. Amongst them a particular
place is held by the historic Churches of Israel and
Palestine, the “living stones” of the Holy Land, who face
ever-increasing violence, and even the threat of
extinction, in the land where Christianity began.
In listening to communities under threat we may hear
the language of trauma and fear, which can be
unfiltered and harsh. But we must be prepared for
difficult listening and conversations. Allowing people to
tell their own stories in their own words is a necessary
precondition for understanding, reconciliation and
building a new future.
Thank you!
Thank you for reading this statement.
I am standing for General
Synod in the hope of
being able to make a
positive contribution, from
my particular experience
of parish and community,
to our common life as a
Church, supporting
parishes and helping us to
move forward together as
the pilgrim people of God.
With the many issues facing the Church of England
I hope that you will vote for me in this election.
Matthew Duckett, 23rd August 2026
[email protected]

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