General Synod Election Candidates 2026

ROBERT SPRINGETT
I am seeking your support in this election as I continue to serve
as the Church of England's Lead Bishop for Safeguarding.

I am passionate about helping the Church develop a culture in
which good safeguarding practice is understood not as a
burden or an obstacle to ministry, but as an expression of
faithful ministry itself. Good safeguarding strengthens trust,
enables mission, supports healthy ministry and reflects God's care for all people.

Alongside my safeguarding responsibilities, my ministry continues to be rooted in a
deep commitment to parish life and to the life of the whole Church. As a parish
priest, archdeacon and now bishop, I have been shaped by ministry in urban estates,
market towns, villages and suburbs, among communities facing very different
opportunities and challenges. Those experiences have reinforced my conviction that
the Church is at its strongest when it combines faithful worship, generous service and
courageous witness in every community. I care deeply about supporting clergy and
lay leaders, nurturing discipleship, encouraging mission and evangelism, and helping
our parishes remain places of faithful worship, service and witness. If re-elected, I
would seek to play a full part in the work of the House and General Synod,
contributing thoughtfully and collaboratively across the breadth of its business.

I believe the challenges facing the Church require us both to hold fast to the gospel
we have received and to engage courageously with the realities of the present
moment. Whether the matters before us concern safeguarding, mission, ministry,
vocations, governance, parish sustainability, public engagement or the Church's
witness in society, I would seek to contribute with humility, charity and hope, always
attentive to the voices of those serving and worshipping in our local churches.

All of this must remain grounded in the realities of ministry in our dioceses and
parishes. National policy is at its best when it listens carefully to local experience, and
I am committed to bringing my experience of parish, diocesan and national ministry
to ensuring that the wisdom and insight of those serving on the ground continue to
shape the Church's life and decision-making.

I would be grateful for your support as I seek to continue serving the Church with
hope, wisdom and a commitment to the flourishing of every parish, community and
person entrusted to our care.

dioceses,discipleship,evangelism,gospel,mission,safeguarding,vocations,witness