General Synod Election Candidates 2026

David Julian Casati
Standing for the House of Laity of General Synod
Proposed by Leanne Conway-Wilcox, Central Deanery Lay Chair
Seconded by Sarah (Sal) Howard, Alnwick Deanery, Reader and
Ordinand
I grew up in Italy within a Roman
Catholic background. I was very
involved in my parish in different roles
and later on I joined a religious
community, where I lived for 12 years. During that time, I
studied towards a BA in Theology and an MA in Pastoral Liturgy,
whilst teaching RE in secondary school.
I have always felt at the same time in the centre and at the margins: I have always been
very involved in the life of the Church but I have also felt my belonging on the margins
because of my sexuality and gender. The Church of England appeared on the horizon a
long time before I decided to be part of it, and I reached that decision feeling deep in my
heart that this was a place of belonging where I could offer the gifts God has given me.
I currently worship at St George's and St Hilda's, Jesmond. I am a PCC and Deanery
Synod member. I am an Authorised Lay Minister and am currently training at the
Lindisfarne College of Theology to be a Reader, whilst studying towards an MA in
Theology, Ministry and Mission. Last but definitely not least, I am part of the Diocesan
LGBTQI+ Chaplaincy as Volunteer Chaplain. This role has helped me to know more of the
Diocese and its people, and listen to different voices whilst offering a message of radical
inclusion.
I am a person of prayer. My faith in God informs my life, my decisions and how I interact
with people. I wouldn't be doing this without prayer and listening to God. My core is
grounded in God and from here I engage with everything.
I work full-time as a Respiratory Physiologist in a hospital, a role that brings me in contact
daily with people from all backgrounds, ages, genders, dis-ability, political convictions,
sense of humour! I am a good listener, and able to engage positively with those who hold
views I don't agree with. I recognise the invaluable importance of this skill at General
Synod, where different voices and experiences are given a space and an opportunity to
debate and reach decisions.
I volunteer in the community by rescuing surplus food and redistributing it; this allows me
to get to know my neighbourhood and create good relationships whilst saving food and
avoiding waste.
I am a very enthusiastic dog carer, so make a special note of this if needed!
Don't forget to use your vote! Voting is by single transferable vote so if you are
intending to vote for me, please put me as your first or high preference.
Voting opens on Monday 21st September and closes on Tuesday 13
th October.
Background and
experience

I endorse the Inclusive Synod Election Campaign statement by Together for the Church of
England: 'I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the
church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity,
learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.' I am fully committed to
inclusion, it is part of who I am, and the framework for my engagement.
I have attended General Synod as an observer, reading reports, sitting in the public
gallery and listening to various motions and debates. If elected, I would take
representation seriously, gifting my skills in listening, talking, working with others and
making change possible on the many and varied aspects of the life of the Church. Prayer
will inform my presence, my reflection and my contributions, to not lose sight of what I am
doing and why I am doing it.
Issues I care about on Synod include:
LGBTQI+ and Women's Ministry
I support the full inclusion of LGBTQI+
people and women in the life and ministry
of the Church, at all levels. This includes:

• engage in conversations and debates

in the post-LLF era, contributing to the
reflection towards changes of doctrine
or practice;

• end discrimination towards people in

same-sex marriages, currently not
allowed to be ordained or start any
ordination training;

• being visible as a trans member

Parish ministry and funding
Parishes are places of prayer, of coming
together, of engagement, of social
empowerment. Parishes are struggling
and this means more listening to each
other and more working together within
deaneries. The inheritance of faith and
blessing that parishes embody is an
invaluable witness that we cannot dismiss
or leave behind. The way funding operates
also needs deep thinking and reflection.
Safeguarding
The Church needs to take safeguarding
seriously, and reflect and act on 'lessons
learned'. I believe the Church needs
independent safeguarding, and a serious
engagement with survivors - our Diocese
is a lead in this.
Working class ministry
People from a working class background
face barriers within the Church to access
ministry at all levels. This prevents the
Church from growing. I will work to
promote access to ministry for people
of all backgrounds, and especially those
from a working class experience.
Sustainability
The way the Church operates needs
sustainable ways, disinvesting in fossil
fuels and promoting lifestyles with
awareness of our impact on creation of
which we are part.
'David offers a deep care for the renewal of the life of the Church,
and an active and energetic commitment to enabling the church to
become a more fully inclusive reflection of the body of Christ, which
would be an invaluable contribution to the work of General
Synod.' (Rev'd Ruth Harley)
David Julian Casati - General Synod 2026
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you will give me your first or high
preference vote. Remember, voting opens on 21st September and closes on 13th
October. I would be happy to hear from you if you have any questions.
My email is: [email protected]

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