agricultural,archbishops,church commissioners,common fund,diocesan finance,farming,finance,great commission,independent safeguarding,llf,plf,redress,redress scheme,safeguarding,save the parish,tradition

Dr Phillip Rice
Tower Hamlets - St Pauls Shadwell
Proposer: Jacquie Driver Chair of Diocesan Finance
…Committee Saint Church – Hackney
Seconder: Duncan McAndrew,
St Peters, London Docks Wapping.

About me
• Former church warden, lay chair of Hackney Deanery and recently lay chair of Tower
Hamlets.
• I was vice chair of the Friends of St Pauls Cathedral during the Covid period and
played a part in working with the Canon Treasurer on the design and implementation of
the fund raising for the £3.5 million successful “ Remember Me” appeal for the Covid
memorial in St Pauls.
• I was on general synod 2024-26, previously 2010-15

What about the Church politics – looking back
I found General Synod to be a deeply spiritual place in my time there. Yes. Surprise?
Surely it should not be otherwise? I enjoyed the company and meeting with many saints
of God from across the range of traditions represented there. It was the time of the
debates about safeguarding, financial crisis, Women Bishop’s measure, so there was
plenty of argument and pain for sure. But I think Synod got it right in the vote at the
second attempt – mainly because the provision to those in profound disagreement was
generous and necessary. Could the above be a pattern for LLF/PLF/New structures ?
Church Politics big issues ahead – lots of problems for new members
First, One big win: The Church Commissioners (CC) report into historic links to
transatlantic chattel slavery was a masterpiece of research. The offer of £100 million in
reparation was a proper and fully argued response. Well done so far. But I cannot say the
same for the elaborate and convoluted way that the money appears or when it is to be
made available. I would say so in Synod. Now the ABC of problems.
Astonishingly: Church Commissioners (Annual Report 2025 page 38) borrowed £275
million. Yes, in November 2025, borrowed for 10 years. This is not the usual story of an
Endowment Fund worth £11.6 billion. Synod regulates with a light touch, but this is a
liquidity issue and what are guardrails for prudential practice. (And expensive they have a
further £550 million debt issued in 2022)? I would want to ask in Synod to investigate if
this is an amber light flashing?

Beyond Belief: The Ecclesiastical Committee (EC) of the UK Parliament (15MPs and 15
Lords) blocked the “big idea” to reform the National Church Institutions into essentially
one CofE National Services (CENS). This rolling into CENS included the Archbishops
Council and new access to Church Commissioners funds, and a swathe of reforms to the
roles of the Second and Third Church Estates Commissioners. This was a really big

Church State deal, backed totally by the bishops. But lobbying by the Save the Parish
team and some veteran synod members persisted as the Endowment Fund and its
charitable objectives were compromised. That is a money grab by the CENS. But reform
this was not, it was a mess. Over period November 2025 to March 2026 the
unprecedented step was taken to deem the Church’s plan not expedient. CofE chief exec
William Nye wrote to Synod in March 2026 explaining that the reform was withdrawn.

Concerning the state of safeguarding legislation, many hours have been spent on this by
Synod and legislators. Members will spend many more. The Ecclesiastical Committee
found muddled Church plans and questioned how an independent safeguarding body
could fit into CENS. The committee blocked legislation for lack of credibility/independence
Also I note CC Annual Accounts 2025, provision of £137 million for Redress Scheme cost.
I note the perception and the implication of far more to be done: The Church has failed
repeatedly to understand our safeguarding responsibility and duty of care. We need
humility, honesty and radical change – and to set aside the right money to do it.
Other matters - to take from London to Synod
The parish model of ministry in London is a cornerstone to keep. At a recent diocesan
synod one participant from the floor (Rev E. G.) made a passionate plea for resources that
should be used to support people and clergy in developing parish ministry for situations
where one vicar was being asked to do it all, and meet increased common fund! This was
greeted by sustained applause. This is a plea for real money to go more locally. How is by
scaling back weak £-million Strategic Development Fund bids and their onerous diocesan
on-costs. A renewed vision of parish can honour tradition and celebrate how looking for
growth enables more people to participate in church life.
Wilding actually Rewilding church lands where soil condition is poor, Money for taking
steps in the climate emergency to build for carbon zero for 2030’s is a priority with me. I
spoke to this in the last Synod to argue that prudential care should require the Church
Commissioners to follow the lead of the Crown Estates whose commissioners have
ambition x10 (rewilding on their agricultural land holdings). Also given the parlous state of
tenant farming rewilding would be harmonious with Save The Rural Parish.
Yes to: Jesus’ life, example and teaching call us to the great commission. Too many
people remain on the margins of society. Church on the edge becomes a place of growth
and human flourishing.
Z symbol for time. To do the synod role fully will need candidates to find a lot of it.
X symbol for voting – look carefully at manifestos. Now is the time to support those who
have understanding, vision and the potential to have a clear “presence” in Synod.

PS: In this election second preferences will be like gold dust and third preferences good
too.

Kindly contact me if you would like to know more
Email: [email protected] Text only please to 07879324432
23 Christchurch Square London E9 7HU