Church of England: Difference between revisions

| image              = Logo of the Church of England.svg

| theology          = [[Anglican doctrine]]{{efn|With various theological and doctrinal identities, including [[Anglo-Catholic]], [[Liberal Christianity|Liberal]] and [[Evangelical Anglicanism|Evangelicals]].}}

| orientation        = [[Anglicanism|Anglican]]{{efn|group=nb|[[Broad church]] (including variations of [[high church]] and [[low church]])}}

| scripture          = [[Protestant Bible]]

| leader_name        = [[Charles III]]

| leader_title1      = [[Archbishop of Canterbury|Primate]]

| leader_name1      = [[Stephen Cottrell]] (''acting'')

| area              = England, Wales (cross-border parishes)<br />[[Isle of Man]]<br />[[Channel Islands]]<br />Continental Europe<br />

| founder            = {{ublist|[[Augustine of Canterbury]] <br />(united the early English church under [[papal supremacy|papal jurisdiction]])|[[Henry VIII]] <br />(separated the church from papal jurisdiction)|[[Thomas Cranmer]] <br />(author of the first liturgical rites of the church during the [[English Reformation]])}}

| separated_from    = [[Catholic Church in England|Roman Catholic Church]]<br />(1534)

| separations        = [[English Separatists|Separatists]]<br />(1534 onwards)<br />[[Puritans|Puritans (Congregationalists, Baptists and English Presbyterians)]] (17th century)<br />[[Methodists]] (18th century)<br />[[Plymouth Brethren]] (1820s)<br />[[Free Church of England]] (1844)<br />[[Church of Ireland]] (1871)<br />[[Church in Wales]] (1920)<br />[[Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham]] (2011)

| members            = 23 million (baptised; 2020)

The '''Church of England''' ('''C of E''') is the [[State religion#State churches|established]] [[List of Christian denominations|Christian church]] in [[England]] and the [[Crown Dependencies]]. It was the initial church of the [[Anglicanism|Anglican tradition]]. The Church traces its history to the Christian hierarchy recorded as existing in the [[Roman Britain|Roman province of Britain]] by the 3rd century and to the 6th-century [[Gregorian mission]] to [[Kingdom of Kent|Kent]] led by [[Augustine of Canterbury]]. Its members are called ''Anglicans''.

In 1534, the Church of England renounced the authority of the Papacy under the direction of [[Henry VIII]], beginning the [[English Reformation]]. The guiding theologian that shaped Anglican doctrine was the Reformer [[Thomas Cranmer]], who developed the Church of England's liturgical text, the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]''.<ref name="Samuel2020">{{cite book |last1=Samuel |first1=Chimela Meehoma |title=Treasures of the Anglican Witness: A Collection of Essays |date=28 April 2020 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |isbn=978-1-5437-5784-2 |language=en |quote=In addition to his emphasis on Bible reading and the introduction to the ''Book of Common Prayer'', other media through which Cranmer sought to catechize the English people were the introduction of the First Book of Homilies and the 39 Articles of Religion. Together with the ''Book of Common Prayer'' and the Forty-Two Articles (which were later reduced to thirty-nine), the Book of Homilies stands as one of the essential texts of the Edwardian Reformation, and they all helped to define the shape of Anglicanism then, and in the subsequent centuries. More so, the Articles of Religion, whose primary shape and content were given by Archbishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridley in 1553 (and whose final official form was ratified by Convocation, the Queen, and Parliament in 1571), provided a more precise interpretation of Christian doctrine to the English people. According to John H. Rodgers, they "constitute the formal statements of the accepted, common teaching put forth by the Church of England as a result of the Reformation."}}</ref> Papal authority was [[Second Statute of Repeal|briefly restored]] under [[Mary I of England|Mary I]], before her successor [[Elizabeth I]] [[Act of Supremacy 1558|renewed the breach]]. The [[Elizabethan Settlement]] (implemented 1559–1563) concluded the English Reformation, charting a course for the English church to describe itself as a ''[[via media]]'' between two branches of Protestantism—[[Lutheranism]] and [[Calvinism]]—and later, a denomination that is both [[Reformed Christianity|Reformed]] and [[Catholic (term)|Catholic]].<ref name="HSEC2003">{{cite book|title=Anglican and Episcopal History|year=2003|publisher=Historical Society of the Episcopal Church|language=en|page=15|quote=Others had made similar observations, Patrick McGrath commenting that the Church of England was not a middle way between Roman Catholic and Protestant, but "between different forms of Protestantism", and William Monter describing the Church of England as "a unique style of Protestantism, a via media between the Reformed and Lutheran traditions". MacCulloch has described Cranmer as seeking a middle way between Zurich and Wittenberg but elsewhere remarks that the Church of England was "nearer Zurich and Geneva than Wittenberg.}}</ref>

In the earlier phase of the [[English Reformation]] there were both [[List of Catholic martyrs of the English Reformation|Catholic]] and [[List of Protestant martyrs of the English Reformation|Protestant martyrs]]. This continued into the later phases, which saw the [[English Penal Laws|Penal Laws]] punish Catholics and [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|nonconforming Protestants]]. Various factions continued to challenge the leadership and doctrine of the church into the 17th century, which under [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] veered towards a more Catholic interpretation of the Elizabethan Settlement, especially under Archbishop [[William Laud|Laud]]. Following the victory of the [[Roundhead]]s in the [[English Civil War]], the [[Puritan]] faction dominated and the ''Book of Common Prayer'' and episcopacy were abolished. These would be restored under the [[Restoration (1660)|Stuart Restoration]] in 1660.

Since the English Reformation, the Church of England has used the [[English language]] in the [[liturgy]]. As a [[broad church]], the Church of England contains several doctrinal strands: the main traditions are known as [[Anglo-Catholic#Practices and beliefs|Anglo-Catholic]], [[high church]], [[central churchmanship|central church]], and [[low church]], the last producing a growing [[Evangelical Anglicanism|evangelical]] wing that includes [[Reformed Anglicanism]], with a smaller number of [[Anglican Arminianism|Arminian Anglicans]].<ref name="The Gospel Coalition">{{cite web |last1=Hampton |first1=Stephen |title=Anti-Arminians: The Anglican Reformed Tradition from Charles II to George I |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/anti-arminians-the-anglican-reformed-tradition-from-charles-ii-to-george-i/ |publisher=[[The Gospel Coalition]] |access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref> Tensions between theological [[Conservative Christianity|conservatives]] and [[liberal Christianity|liberals]] find expression in debates over the [[ordination of women in the Anglican Communion|ordination of women]] and [[homosexuality and the Anglican Communion|same-sex marriage]]. The [[British monarch]] (currently [[Charles III]]) is the [[Supreme Governor of the Church of England|supreme governor]] and the [[archbishop of Canterbury]] (vacant since 7 January 2025, after the resignation of [[Justin Welby]]) is the most senior [[cleric]]. The governing structure of the Church is based on [[List of Church of England dioceses|diocese]]s, each presided over by a bishop. Within each diocese are local parishes. The [[General Synod of the Church of England]] is the legislative body for the church and comprises bishops, other clergy and [[laity]]. Its [[Church of England measure|measures]] must be approved by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]].

By the [[late Middle Ages]], [[Catholicism]] was an essential part of English life and culture. The 9,000 [[parish]]es covering all of England were overseen by a hierarchy of [[Deanery|deaneries]], [[archdeaconries]], [[diocese]]s led by bishops, and ultimately the pope who presided over the Catholic Church from Rome.{{Sfn|Marshall|2017a|p=11}} Catholicism taught that the [[contrite]] person could cooperate with [[God in Christianity|God]] towards their [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]] by performing [[Merit (Christianity)|good works]] (see [[synergism]]).{{sfn|MacCulloch|1996|p=210}} God's [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] was given through the [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|seven sacraments]].{{Sfn|Marshall|2017a|p=7}} In the [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Mass]], a [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priest]] consecrated bread and wine to become the [[Body of Christ|body]] and [[blood of Christ]] through [[transubstantiation]]. The church taught that, in the name of the congregation, the priest offered to God the same [[Crucifixion of Jesus|sacrifice of Christ on the cross]] that provided [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]] for the [[Christian views on sin|sins]] of humanity.{{Sfn|Marshall|2017a|pp=8–9}}{{sfn|Hefling|2021|pp=97–98}} The Mass was also an offering of prayer by which the living could help [[soul]]s in [[purgatory]].<ref>{{cite book | last = MacCulloch | first = Diarmaid | title = The Later Reformation in England, 1547–1603 | publisher = Palgrave | series = British History in Perspective | edition = 2nd | year = 2001 | isbn = 9780333921395 | url = https://archive.org/details/laterreformation00macc | pages = 1–2}}</ref> While [[Sacrament of Penance|penance]] removed the guilt attached to sin, Catholicism taught that a penalty still remained. It was believed that most people would end their lives with these penalties unsatisfied and would have to spend time in purgatory. Time in purgatory could be lessened through [[indulgence]]s and [[prayers for the dead]], which were made possible by the [[communion of saints]].{{Sfn|Marshall|2017a|pp=16–17}}

Henry's religious beliefs remained aligned to traditional Catholicism throughout his reign, albeit with reformist aspects in the tradition of [[Erasmus]] and firm commitment to royal supremacy. In order to secure royal supremacy over the church, however, Henry allied himself with Protestants, who until that time had been treated as [[heretics]].{{Sfn|Shagan|2017|p=32}} The main doctrine of the [[Protestant Reformation]] was [[sola fide|justification by faith alone]] rather than by good works.{{Sfn|Hefling|2021|p=96}} The logical outcome of this belief is that the Mass, sacraments, charitable acts, [[Prayer to saints|prayers to saints]], prayers for the dead, pilgrimage, and the [[veneration of relics]] do not mediate divine favour. To believe they can would be [[superstition]] at best and [[idolatry]] at worst.{{Sfn|Hefling|2021|p=97}}{{Sfn|Marshall|2017a|p=126}}

In the reign of [[Edward&nbsp;VI]] (1547–1553), the Church of England underwent an extensive theological reformation. Justification by faith was made a central teaching.{{Sfn| Marshall | 2017a | p = 308}} Government-sanctioned [[iconoclasm]] led to the destruction of images and relics. Stained glass, shrines, statues, and [[rood]]s were defaced or destroyed. Church walls were [[whitewash]]ed and covered with biblical texts condemning idolatry.<ref>{{cite book | last = Duffy | first = Eamon | title = The Stripping of the Altars: Traditional Religion in England, {{circa|1400|lk=no}} – {{circa|1580|lk=no}} | publisher = Yale University Press | edition = 2nd | year = 2005 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=K48k6JIcPrUC | isbn = 978-0-300-10828-6 | pages = 450–454 and 458}}</ref> The most significant reform in Edward's reign was the adoption of an English liturgy to replace the old Latin rites.{{Sfn|Shagan|2017|pp=41}} Written by the [[Protestant Reformers|Protestant Reformer]] Archbishop [[Thomas Cranmer]], the [[1549 Book of Common Prayer|1549 ''Book of Common Prayer'']] implicitly taught justification by faith,<ref>{{cite book | last = Jeanes | first = Gordon | chapter =  Cranmer and Common Prayer | year = 2006 | title = [[The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer: A Worldwide Survey]] | editor-last1 = Hefling | editor-first1 = Charles | editor-last2 = Shattuck | editor-first2 = Cynthia | page = 30 | publisher = Oxford University Press | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ezVH2h6PKUcC | isbn= 978-0-19-529756-0 }}</ref> and rejected the Catholic doctrines of transubstantiation and the sacrifice of the Mass.{{Sfn|MacCulloch |1996 | pp = 412, 414}} This was followed by a greatly revised [[1552 Book of Common Prayer|1552 ''Book of Common Prayer'']], which propounded a [[Calvinism|Reformed]] view of the Lord's Supper (cf. ''[[Lord's Supper in Reformed theology]]'').<ref name="Strout2024">{{cite book |last1=Strout |first1=Shawn O. |title=Of Thine Own Have We Given Thee: A Liturgical Theology of the Offertory in Anglicanism |date=29 February 2024 |publisher=James Clarke & Company |isbn=978-0-227-17995-6 |pages=35–36 |language=English}}</ref> Along with ''The Book of Common Prayer'', ''[[Thirty-nine Articles|The Thirty-nine Articles]]'' and ''[[The Books of Homilies]]'', assembled through the efforts of the Reformer [[Thomas Cranmer]], became the basis of Anglican doctrine after the English Reformation.<ref name="Samuel2020"/>

During the reign of [[Mary I of England|Mary&nbsp;I]] (1553–1558), England was briefly reunited with the Catholic Church. Mary died childless, so it was left to the new regime of her half-sister [[Queen Elizabeth&nbsp;I]] to resolve the direction of the Church. The [[Elizabethan Religious Settlement]] returned the Church to where it stood in 1553 before Edward's death. The [[Act of Supremacy 1558|Act of Supremacy]] made the monarch the Church's [[Supreme Governor of the Church of England]]. The [[Act of Uniformity 1558|Act of Uniformity]] restored a slightly altered 1552 ''Book of Common Prayer''. In 1571, the [[Thirty-nine Articles]] received parliamentary approval as a doctrinal statement for the Church. The settlement ensured the Church of England was Protestant, but it was unclear what kind of Protestantism was being adopted.{{Sfn|Marshall|2017b|pp=49–51}} Anglicanism was said to be a ''[[via media]]'' between two forms of Protestantism, [[Lutheranism]] and [[Calvinism|Reformed Christianity]], though more aligned with the latter than the former.<ref name="HSEC2003"/> The prayer book's Reformed [[eucharistic theology]] posited a [[Lord's Supper in Reformed theology|real spiritual presence]] (pneumatic presence), since Article 28 of the Thirty-nine Articles taught that the body of Christ was eaten "only after an heavenly and spiritual manner".{{Sfn|Marshall|2017b|pp=50–51}}<ref name="Strout2024"/> Nevertheless, there was enough ambiguity to allow later theologians to articulate various versions of [[Anglican eucharistic theology]].{{Sfn|Marshall|2017b|p=51}}

The Church of England was the [[established church]] (constitutionally established by the state with the head of state as its supreme governor). The exact nature of the relationship between church and state would be developed over the next century.<ref name="Eberle">{{cite book|last=Eberle|first=Edward J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oYkzkVc_sG0C&q=%22church%20of%20england%22%20official%20state%20religion&pg=PA2|title=Church and State in Western Society|publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.]]|year=2011|isbn=978-1-4094-0792-8|page=2|quote=The Church of England later became the official state Protestant church, with the monarch supervising church functions.|access-date=9 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="Fox">{{cite book|last=Fox|first=Jonathan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rE0NcgxNaKEC&q=%22church%20of%20england%22%20official%20state%20religion&pg=PA120|title=A World Survey of Religion and the State|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2008|isbn=978-0-521-88131-9|page=120|quote=The Church of England (Anglican) and the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) are the official religions of the UK.|access-date=9 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="Ferrante">{{cite book|last=Ferrante|first=Joan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AwnIIXI6y38C&q=%22church+of+england%22+official+state+religion&pg=PA408|title=Sociology: A Global Perspective|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8400-3204-1|page=408|quote=the Church of England [Anglican], which remains the official state church|access-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> Notably, the [[Act of Settlement 1701]], which remains in force today, stipulates that the monarch (who serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England) be a Protestant, maintain the Protestant succession, and "join in communion with the Church of England as by law established."<ref name="Doe2024">{{cite book |last1=Doe |first1=Norman |last2=Coleman |first2=Stephen |title=The Legal History of the Church of England: From the Reformation to the Present |date=22 February 2024 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-5099-7317-0 |page=104 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Coronation Oath Act 1688]] (reiterated in the Act of Settlement 1701) requires the rising Sovereign to take an oath to maintain "the true Profession of the Gospel and the Protestant Reformed Religion Established by Law" in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Doe2024"/>

The first Anglican missionaries arrived in Nigeria in 1842 and the first Anglican Nigerian was consecrated a bishop in 1864. However, the arrival of a rival group of Anglican missionaries in 1887 led to infighting that slowed the Church's growth. In this large African colony, by 1900 there were only 35,000 Anglicans, about 0.2% of the population. However, by the late 20th century the [[Church of Nigeria]] was the fastest growing of all Anglican churches, reaching about 18 percent of the local population by 2000.<ref name="x25"/>

From 1796 to 1818 the Church began operating in [[Sri Lanka]] (formerly [[Ceylon]]), following the 1796 start of British colonisation, when the first services were held for the British civil and military personnel. In 1799, the first Colonial Chaplain was appointed, following which CMS and SPG missionaries began their work, in 1818 and 1844 respectively. Subsequently the [[Church of Ceylon]] was established: in 1845 the diocese of Colombo was inaugurated, with the appointment of [[James Chapman (Bishop of Colombo)|James Chapman]] as Bishop of Colombo. It served as an extra-provincial jurisdiction of the [[archbishop of Canterbury]], who served as its [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitan]].

Bishop [[Sarah Mullally]] has insisted that declining numbers at services should not necessarily be a cause of despair for churches, because people may still encounter God without [[church attendance|attending a service]] in a church; for example hearing the Christian message through social media sites or in a café run as a community project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-09 |title=Empty pews not the end of the world, says Church of England's newest bishop |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11663692/Empty-pews-not-the-end-of-the-world-says-Church-of-Englands-newest-bishop.html |first1=John |last1=Bingham |website=The Telegraph |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231223084828/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11663692/Empty-pews-not-the-end-of-the-world-says-Church-of-Englands-newest-bishop.html |archive-date= Dec 23, 2023 }}</ref> The Church of England estimates that 35 - 50 million people visit its churches as tourists annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Churches |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/about/our-churches#:~:text=We%20have%20over%2016,000%20church,are%20listed%20by%20Historic%20England&text=We%20estimate%20that%2035%20to,open%20and%20welcoming%20to%20all. |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=The Church of England |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-24 |title=Britain's 15 finest village churches |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/britain-15-finest-village-churches-130000013.html |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, 9.7&nbsp;million people visit at least one of its churches every year and 1&nbsp;million students are educated at Church of England schools (which number 4,700).<ref>{{cite web|title=Facts and Stats of The Church of England|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/facts-stats.aspx |publisher=Church of England|access-date=8 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408084146/https://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/facts-stats.aspx |archive-date= 8 April 2016 }}</ref> In 2019, an estimated 10 million people visited a cathedral and an additional "1.3 million people visited Westminster Abbey, where 99% of visitors paid / donated for entry".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Key areas of research|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/about/research-and-statistics/key-areas-research|access-date=26 October 2021|website=The Church of England|language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the church reported than an estimated 5.7 million people visited a cathedral and 6.8 million visited Westminster Abbey.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff writer |date=2023-04-13 |title=Cathedral visitor numbers rebound after pandemic |url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/cathedral-visitor-numbers-rebound-after-pandemic/140073.htm |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=www.christiantoday.com |language=en}}</ref> Nevertheless, the archbishops of [[Justin Welby|Canterbury]] and [[John Sentamu|York]] warned in January 2015 that the Church of England would no longer be able to carry on in its current form unless the downward spiral in membership were somehow to be reversed, as typical Sunday attendance had halved to 800,000 in the previous 40 years:<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11340590/Church-of-England-cannot-carry-on-as-it-is-unless-decline-urgently-reversed-Welby-and-Sentamu.html "Church of England cannot carry on as it is unless decline 'urgently' reversed – Welby and Sentamu"], ''The Daily Telegraph'', 12 January 2015.</ref>

The [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] had a sizeable effect on church attendance, with attendance in 2020 and 2021 well below that of 2019. By 2022, the first full year without substantial restrictions related to the pandemic, numbers were still notably down on pre-pandemic participation. According to the 2022 release of "Statistics for Mission" by the church, the median size of each church's worshipping community (those who attend in person or online at least once a month) stood at 37 people, with average weekly attendance having declined from 34 to 25; while Easter and Christmas services had seen falls from 51 to 38 and 80 to 56 individuals respectively.<ref name=":5" /> In the following year's release the Church detailed that, compared to pre-pandemic trends, the Church's average weekly attendance was 8% below what was expected. However, attendance at particular services such as baptisms and marriages had increased by more than 20% compared to the projected pre-pandemic trend.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Statistics for Mission 2023 |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2024-12/statisticsformission2023.pdf |access-date=5 December 2024 |website=Church of England}}</ref>

Examples of wider declines across the whole church include:<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Statistics for Missions 2022 |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/statisticsformission2022.pdf |access-date=27 November 2023 |website=Church of England}}</ref><ref name=":6" />

The Church of England's doctrinal character today is largely the result of the Elizabethan Settlement. The historical development of Anglicanism saw itself as navigating a [[via media]] between two forms of Protestantism—[[Lutheranism]] and [[Calvinism|Reformed Christianity]]—though leaning closer to the latter than the former.<ref name="HSEC2003"/><ref name="Robinson2012">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Peter |title=The Reformed Face of Anglicanism |url=http://theoldhighchurchman.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-reformed-face-of-anglicanism.html |publisher=The Old High Churchman |access-date=3 February 2020 |language=en |date=2 August 2012|quote=Cranmer's personal journey of faith left its mark on the Church of England in the form of a Liturgy that remains to this day more closely allied to Lutheran practice, but that liturgy is couple to a doctrinal stance that is broadly, but decidedly Reformed. ... The 42 Articles of 1552 and the 39 Articles of 1563, both commit the Church of England to the fundamentals of the Reformed Faith. Both sets of Articles affirm the centrality of Scripture, and take a monergist position on Justification. Both sets of Articles affirm that the Church of England accepts the doctrine of predestination and election as a 'comfort to the faithful' but warn against over much speculation concerning that doctrine. Indeed a casual reading of the Wurttemburg Confession of 1551, the Second Helvetic Confession, the Scots Confession of 1560, and the XXXIX Articles of Religion reveal them to be cut from the same bolt of cloth.}}</ref> The Church of England affirms the protestant reformation principle that scripture contains all things necessary to salvation and is the final arbiter in doctrinal matters. The Thirty-nine Articles are the church's only official confessional statement. The Church of England did retain [[Anglican ministry|three orders of ministry]] and the [[apostolic succession]] of bishops, as with the Scandinavian Lutheran Churches (such as the [[Church of Sweden]]) and Roman Catholicism. Its identity has thus been described as [[Reformed Christianity|Reformed]] and [[Catholic (term)|Catholic]].<ref name="HSEC2003"/> There are differences of opinion within the Church of England over the necessity of episcopacy. Some consider it essential, while others feel it is needed for the proper ordering of the church.{{sfn|Shepherd, Jr.|Martin|2005|pp=349–350}} The Bible, the Creeds, Apostolic Order, and the administration of the Sacraments are sufficient to establish catholicity. The Protestant Reformation in England was initially much concerned about doctrine but the Elizabethan Settlement tried to put a stop to doctrinal contentions. The proponents of further changes, nonetheless, tried to get their way by making changes in Church Order (abolition of bishops), governance (Canon Law) and liturgy. They did not succeed because the monarchy and the Church resisted and the majority of the population were indifferent. Moreover, "despite all the assumptions of the Reformation founders of that Church, it had retained a catholic character." The existence of cathedrals "without substantial alteration" and "where the "old devotional world cast its longest shadow for the future of the ethos that would become Anglicanism,"{{sfn|MacCulloch|1990|p=79}} This is "One of the great mysteries of the English Reformation,"{{sfn|MacCulloch|1990|p=79}} that there was no complete break with the past but a muddle that was per force turned into a virtue.{{sfn|MacCulloch|1990|p=142}}

The Church of England has, as one of its distinguishing marks, a breadth of opinion from [[liberal Christianity|liberal]] to conservative clergy and members.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Andrew|date=13 July 2014|title=Liberalism increases as power shifts to the laity in the Church of England|language=en-GB|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/13/church-of-england-power-shifts-laity-liberalism|access-date=1 May 2016|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> This tolerance has allowed Anglicans who emphasise the catholic tradition and others who emphasise the reformed tradition to coexist. The [[Churchmanship|three schools of thought]] (or parties) in the Church of England are sometimes called [[high church]] (or [[Anglo-Catholic]]), [[low church]] (or [[evangelical Anglican]]) and [[broad church]] (or [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]]). The high church party places importance on the Church of England's continuity with the pre-Reformation Catholic Church, adherence to ancient liturgical usages and the sacerdotal nature of the priesthood. As their name suggests, Anglo-Catholics maintain many traditional catholic practices and liturgical forms.<ref name="HighChurch">"High Church", ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'', 2nd ed., vol. 6 (Detroit: Gale, 2003), pp. 823–824.</ref> The Catholic tradition, strengthened and reshaped from the 1830s by the Oxford movement, has stressed the importance of the visible Church and its sacraments and the belief that the ministry of bishops, priests and deacons is a sign and instrument of the Church of England's Catholic and apostolic identity.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/news-and-media/media-centre/history-church-england|title=History of the Church of England|website=The Church of England|access-date=17 December 2021|archive-date=16 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416023707/https://www.churchofengland.org/news-and-media/media-centre/history-church-england|url-status=dead}}</ref> The low church party is more Protestant in both ceremony and theology.<ref name="LowChurch">"Low Church", ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'', 2nd ed., vol. 8 (Detroit: Gale, 2003), p. 836.</ref> It has emphasized the significance of the Protestant aspects of the Church of England's identity, stressing the importance of the authority of Scripture, preaching, justification by faith and personal conversion.<ref name=":1" /> The theological perspectives within the Church of England have included the [[Reformed Anglican]] perspective, as well as a minority [[Anglican Arminianism|Arminian Anglican]] view.<ref name="The Gospel Coalition"/> Historically, the term 'broad church' has been used to describe those of middle-of-the-road ceremonial preferences who lean theologically towards liberal protestantism.<ref name="BroadChurch">E. McDermott, "Broad Church", ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'', 2nd ed., vol. 2 (Detroit: Gale, 2003), pp. 624–625.</ref> The liberal broad church tradition has emphasized the importance of the use of reason in theological exploration. It has stressed the need to develop Christian belief and practice in order to respond creatively to wider advances in human knowledge and understanding and the importance of social and political action in forwarding God's kingdom.<ref name=":1" /> The balance between these strands of churchmanship is not static: in 2013, 40% of Church of England worshippers attended [[Evangelical Anglicanism|evangelical Anglican]] churches (compared with 26% in 1989), and 83% of very large congregations were evangelical. Such churches were also reported to attract higher numbers of men and young adults than others.<ref>'New Directions', May 2013</ref>

In July 2005, the synod voted to "set in train" the process of allowing the consecration of women as bishops. In February 2006, the synod voted overwhelmingly for the "further exploration" of possible arrangements for parishes that did not want to be directly under the authority of a bishop who is a woman.<ref>[http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060210women.shtml Church votes overwhelmingly for compromise on women bishops]. ''Ekklesia''.</ref> On 7 July 2008, the synod voted to approve the ordination of women as bishops and rejected moves for alternative episcopal oversight for those who do not accept the ministry of bishops who are women.<ref>{{cite news|title=Church will ordain women bishops|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7494517.stm|work=BBC News|date=7 July 2008|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref> Actual ordinations of women to the episcopate required further legislation, which was narrowly rejected in a General Synod vote in November 2012.<ref>Pigott, Robert. (14 February 2009) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7889946.stm Synod struggles on women bishops]. BBC News.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20415689 "Church of England general synod votes against women bishops"], BBC News, 20 November 2012.</ref> On 20 November 2013, the General Synod voted overwhelmingly in support of a plan to allow the ordination of women as bishops, with 378 in favour, 8 against and 25 abstentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://descrier.co.uk/uk/2013/11/church-england-synod-votes-overwhelmingly-support-women-bishops/|title=Church of England Synod votes overwhelmingly in support of women bishops|work=The Descrier |date=20 November 2013 |access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref>

In May 2018, the Diocese of London consecrated [[Dame Sarah Mullally]] as the first woman to serve as the [[Bishop of London]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/18-may/news/uk/first-woman-bishop-of-sarah-mullally-london-installed |title=First woman Bishop of London installed |website= www.churchtimes.co.uk|access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref> Bishop Sarah Mullally occupies the third most senior position in the Church of England.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-44095112|title=First female Bishop of London installed|date=12 May 2018|work=BBC News|access-date= 20 May 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Mullally has described herself as a feminist and will ordain both men and women to the priesthood.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/new-woman-bishop-goes-to-war-for-female-vicars-7q28wqkdf |title=New woman bishop goes to war for female vicars|first=Nicholas|last=Hellen|date=13 May 2018|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=20 May 2018|language=en|issn=0956-1382}}</ref> She is also considered by some to be a theological liberal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d2042694-e3f1-11e7-8b99-0191e45377ec |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/d2042694-e3f1-11e7-8b99-0191e45377ec |archive-date=10 December 2022|title=Sarah Mullally to be first female bishop of London|website=Financial Times|date=18 December 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=|url-access = subscription|last1=Wright|first1=Robert}}</ref> On women's [[reproductive rights]], Mullally describes herself as [[Abortion-rights movements|pro-choice]] while also being personally [[Anti-abortion movements|pro-life]].<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://sarahmullally.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/choice/ |title=Choice|date=9 March 2012|work=Contemplation in the shadow of a carpark|access-date=20 May 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> On marriage, she supports the current stance of the Church of England that marriage is between a man and a woman, but also said that: "It is a time for us to reflect on our tradition and scripture, and together say how we can offer a response that is about it being inclusive love."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/22-december/news/uk/sarah-mullally-to-be-the-next-bishop-of-london|title=Former Chief Nursing Officer to be first woman Bishop of London|website=www.churchtimes.co.uk|access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref>

The Church of England has been discussing [[Same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom|same-sex marriages]] and LGBT clergy.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-religion-samesex/church-of-england-proposes-celebrating-gay-marriage-idUKBRE9AR0CP20131128 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022751/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-religion-samesex/church-of-england-proposes-celebrating-gay-marriage-idUKBRE9AR0CP20131128 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2 October 2017 |title=Church of England proposes celebrating gay marriage |website=Reuters |access-date= 1 October 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Billson |first1=Chantelle |title=Church of England blessing services for same-sex couples unlikely before 2025: 'We don't all agree' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/21/church-of-england-blessing-services-for-same-sex-couples-unlikely-before-2025-we-dont-all-agree/ |website=PinkNews |date=21 October 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> The church holds that marriage is a union of one man with one woman.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media/1657614/ssmarriagebillbriefing.pdf |title=Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill: Commons Second Reading briefing from the Church of England|access-date= 22 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012119/https://www.churchofengland.org/media/1657614/ssmarriagebillbriefing.pdf |archive-date= 23 October 2017 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Church of England rejects same-sex marriage, says union is between "one man and one woman for life" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/church-of-england-continues-to-refuse-to-allow-same-sex-marriages/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=18 January 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> The church does not allow clergy to perform same-sex marriages, but in February 2023 approved of blessings for same-sex couples following a civil marriage or civil partnership.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=2023-02-09 |title=Church of England votes in favour of blessings for same-sex unions |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/church-of-england-votes-in-favour-of-blessings-for-same-sex-unions |access-date=2023-02-10 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirka |first=Danica |title=Church of England allows blessings for same-sex couples |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/church-england-allows-blessings-same-sex-couples-97009556 |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> The church teaches "Same-sex relationships often embody genuine mutuality and fidelity."<ref name="x75">{{cite web |last1= Bingham |first1= John |title= Church offers prayers after same-sex weddings – but bans gay priests from marrying |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10640144/Church-offers-prayers-after-same-sex-weddings-but-bans-gay-priests-from-marrying.html |work=The Daily Telegraph|date= 15 February 2014 |access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/house-bishops-pastoral-guidance-same-sex-marriage|title=House of Bishops Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage|website=The Church of England|date=15 February 2014 |language=en|access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2023, the Bishops approved "prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God's blessing for same-sex couples."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bishops propose prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God's blessing for same-sex couples |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/bishops-propose-prayers-thanksgiving-dedication-and-gods-blessing |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=The Church of England |date=18 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ward |first=Euan |date=20 January 2023 |title=Church of England Will Bless Same-Sex Couples, but Won't Marry Them |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/20/world/europe/church-england-same-sex-marriage.html |access-date=21 January 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2023 |title=Church of England refuses to back same-sex marriage |url=https://apnews.com/article/anglicanism-england-wales-marriage-religion-5086b3376929156e5f41461193a67aa5 |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> The commended prayers of blessing for same-sex couples, known as "Prayers of Love and Faith," may be used during ordinary church services, and in November 2023 General Synod voted to authorise "standalone" blessings for same-sex couples on a trial basis, while permanent authorisation will require additional steps.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=2023-11-15 |title=Church of England backs plans for trial blessings of same-sex weddings |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/15/church-of-england-backs-plans-for-blessings-of-same-sex-weddings |access-date=2023-11-20 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-15 |title=Church of England backs services for gay couples |first1=Harry|last1=Farley|language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67432854 |access-date=2023-11-20}}</ref> The church also officially supports [[Celibacy|celibate]] civil partnerships; "We believe that Civil Partnerships still have a place, including for some Christian [[Intersex and LGBT|LGBTI]] couples who see them as a way of gaining legal recognition of their relationship."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Keep-civil-partnerships-Church-of-England-urges-Government|title=Keep civil partnerships, Church of England urges Government|date=18 May 2018|work= Premier|access-date=20 May 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[Civil partnership in the United Kingdom|Civil partnerships]] for clergy have been allowed since 2005, so long as they remain sexually abstinent,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/5236132.stm|title=Gay cleric's 'wedding' to partner|work=BBC News|access-date=27 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/663064/gay-cleric-in-running-for-brechin-position/|title=Gay cleric in running for Brechin position|last1=Alex|first1=Stewart|last2=er|website=The Courier|date=2 June 2018 |language=en-GB|access-date=29 October 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/04/church-of-england-gay-bishops|title=Church of England rules gay men in civil partnerships can become bishops|last=Walker|first=Peter|date=4 January 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=24 October 2016}}</ref> and the church extends pensions to clergy in same-sex civil partnerships.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Church of England General Synod extends pension rights for gay partners|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/11/anglican-synod-gay-pension-rights|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 11 February 2010|access-date = 25 February 2016|issn = 0261-3077|language = en-GB|first = Stephen|last = Bates}}</ref> In a missive to clergy, the church communicated that "there was a need for committed same-sex couples to be given recognition and 'compassionate attention' from the Church, including special prayers."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9983121/Church-of-England-gives-blessing-to-recognising-civil-partnerships.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9983121/Church-of-England-gives-blessing-to-recognising-civil-partnerships.html |last1=Bingham|first1=John|archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=limited |date=10 April 2013|url-status=live|title=Church of England gives blessing to recognising civil partnerships|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=23 October 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "There is no prohibition on prayers being said in church or there being a 'service'" after a civil union.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2012/2-march/comment/letters-to-the-editor/civil-partnerships-and-defining-marriage|title=Civil partnerships and defining marriage|website=www.churchtimes.co.uk|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029122821/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2012/2-march/comment/letters-to-the-editor/civil-partnerships-and-defining-marriage|url-status=dead}}</ref> After same-sex marriage was legalised, the church sought continued availability of civil unions, saying "The Church of England recognises that same-sex relationships often embody fidelity and mutuality. Civil partnerships enable these Christian virtues to be recognised socially and legally in a proper framework."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.england.says.civil.partnerships.should.not.be.abolished.following.gay.marriage.legalisation/36731.htm|title=Church of England says civil partnerships should not be abolished following gay marriage legalisation|website=Christianity Today|author-last1=Trimmer|author-first1=Michael|date=11 April 2014 |access-date=21 November 2016}}</ref> In 2024, the General Synod voted in support of eventually permitting clergy to enter into civil same-sex marriages.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Cameron |date=2024-07-08 |title=Church takes first steps to allowing gay priests to marry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/08/church-of-england-votes-to-allow-gay-clergy-to-marry/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Billson |first=Chantelle |date=2024-07-10 |title=Church of England body approves proposals to allow gay clergy to marry |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/07/10/church-of-england-body-approves-proposals-to-allow-gay-clergy-to-marry/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=PinkNews }}</ref>

In 2017, the House of Clergy voted against the motion to "take note" of the bishops' report defining marriage as between a man and a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.englands.clergy.issue.shock.rebuke.to.bishops.conservative.view.on.sexuality/104738.htm|title=Church of England's Clergy Issue Shock Rebuke To Bishops' View on Sexuality |website=www.christiantoday.com|date=15 February 2017 |language=en|access-date=17 February 2017}}</ref> Due to passage in all three houses being required, the motion was rejected.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/15/church-england-votes-reject-controversial-gay-marriage-report/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/15/church-england-votes-reject-controversial-gay-marriage-report/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Church takes step towards gay marriage after vote rejects controversial report|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=17 February 2017|language=en-GB}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After General Synod rejected the motion, the archbishops of Canterbury and York called for "radical new Christian inclusion" that is "based on good, healthy, flourishing relationships, and in a proper 21st century understanding of being human and of being sexual."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishops.call.for.radical.new.christian.inclusion.after.synod.blocks.sexuality.report/104775.htm|title=Archbishops Call For 'Radical New Christian Inclusion' After Synod Blocks Sexuality Report|website=www.christiantoday.com|date=16 February 2017 |language=en|access-date=17 February 2017}}</ref> The church officially opposes "[[conversion therapy]]", a practice which attempts to change a gay or lesbian person's sexual orientation, calling it unethical and supports the [[Conversion therapy ban|banning]] of "conversion therapy" in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/general-synod-backs-ban-conversion-therapy|title=General Synod backs ban on conversion therapy|website=www.churchofengland.org|date=8 July 2017 |language=en|access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/church-of-england-warmly-welcomes-uk-plan-ban-gay-conversion-therapy-225724/|title=Church of England 'Warmly Welcomes' UK's Plan to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy|access-date=5 July 2018|language=en}}</ref> The [[Diocese of Hereford]] approved a motion calling for the church "to create a set of formal services and prayers to bless those who have had a same-sex marriage or civil partnership."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/landmark-vote-piles-pressure-on-anglicans-over-same-sex-marriage-jwrzs6qbs|title=Landmark vote piles pressure on Anglicans over same-sex marriage|last=Burgess|first=Kaya|date=20 October 2017|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=22 October 2017|issn=0140-0460}}</ref> In 2022, "The House [of Bishops] also agreed to the formation of a Pastoral Consultative Group to support and advise dioceses on pastoral responses to circumstances that arise concerning LGBTI+ clergy, ordinands, lay leaders and the lay people in their care."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Church of England House of Bishops meet {{!}} Anglican Ink © 2022 |url=https://anglican.ink/2022/03/25/church-of-england-house-of-bishops-meet/ |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=anglican.ink|date=25 March 2022 }}</ref>

Regarding [[Christianity and transgender people|transgender issues]], the 2017 General Synod voted in favour of a motion saying that transgender people should be "welcomed and affirmed in their parish church".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/09/anglican-church-set-to-offer-special-services-for-transgender-people|title=Anglican church set to offer special services for transgender people|last=Sherwood|first=Harriet|date=9 July 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 July 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/07/09/church-of-england-to-hold-special-services-for-transgender-people-6766501/|title=Church of England to hold special services for transgender people|last=Metro.co.uk|first=Fiona Parker for|date=9 July 2017|website=Metro|access-date=10 July 2017}}</ref> The motion also asked the bishops "to look into special services for transgender people."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40546644|title=Church of England votes to explore transgender services|date=9 July 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=10 July 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/29-may/news/uk/diocese-of-blackburn-seeks-new-liturgy-for-trans-service|title=Diocese of Blackburn seeks new liturgy for trans service|website=Church Times |first1=Madeleine |last1=Davies |date= 29 May 2015 |access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> The bishops initially said "the House notes that the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith, found in ''Common Worship'', is an ideal liturgical rite which trans people can use to mark this moment of personal renewal."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/GS%20Misc%201178%20-%20An%20update%20on%20Welcoming%20Transgender%20People%20%28003%29.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128074732/https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2018-01/GS%20Misc%201178%20-%20An%20update%20on%20Welcoming%20Transgender%20People%20%28003%29.pdf |archive-date=28 January 2018 |url-status=dead |title=An update on 'Welcoming Transgender People'|date=January 2018|website=The Church of England|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> The Bishops also authorised services of celebration to mark a gender transition that will be included in formal liturgy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46516299|title=Trans people invited to mark sex change in Church of England |date=11 December 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=12 December 2018 |language=en-GB |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212114230/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46516299 |archive-date=  12 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/14-december/news/uk/adapted-baptism-liturgy-can-celebrate-gender-transition|title=Adapted baptism liturgy can celebrate gender transition|website=The Church Times |access-date=12 December 2018}}</ref> Transgender people may marry in the Church of England after legally making a transition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/820105/church-england-transgender-baptism-services-worshippers-naming|title=Church of England to consider re-naming services for transgender worshippers|last=Mansfield|first=Katie|date=24 June 2017|work=Express.co.uk|access-date=27 May 2018|language=en}}</ref> "Since the [[Gender Recognition Act 2004]], trans people legally confirmed in their gender identity under its provisions are able to marry someone of the opposite sex in their parish church."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/11/church-of-england-trans-gay-clergy-parishioners|title=The church's trans epiphany will ease the way for others like me |last=Beardsley|first=Tina|date=11 July 2017|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref> The church further decided that same-gender couples may remain married when one spouse experiences [[Transitioning (transgender)|gender transition]] provided that the spouses identified as opposite genders at the time of the marriage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/article/church-of-england-accepts-same-sex-marriage-with-a-catch-3nq6j0zjh|title=Church accepts marriage between people of the same gender – with a catch|first=Kaya|last=Burgess|date=4 July 2019|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=6 July 2019|language=en|issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/07/04/church-england-will-condone-gay-couples-first-time-long-man/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/07/04/church-england-will-condone-gay-couples-first-time-long-man/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Church of England will condone gay couples for first time – as long as they were man and wife when they took vows|last=Swerling|first=Gabriella|date=4 July 2019|work=The Telegraph|access-date=6 July 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Since 2000, the church has allowed priests to undergo gender transition and remain in office.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1052786.stm|title=Sex-change vicar back in pulpit|work=BBC News|access-date=1 December 2016}}</ref> The church has ordained openly transgender clergy since 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/72804951/transgender-priest-sings-praises-of-understanding|title=Transgender priest sings for change|website=Stuff|date=8 October 2015|access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> The Church of England ordained the church's first openly [[Non-binary gender|non-binary]] priest in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swerling |first=Gabriella |date=2 January 2023 |title=Church of England's first non-binary vicar says God 'guided' their identity |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/02/church-englands-first-non-binary-vicar-says-god-guided-identity/ |access-date=3 January 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=McAuley |first1=Paul |last2=Norden |first2=Jasmine |date=1 January 2023 |title=UK's first non-binary priest says God guided them to come out after an epiphany |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-first-non-binary-priest-28853392 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, the Church of England appointed [[Rachel Mann]] as the church's first openly trans [[Archdeacon]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swerling |first=Gabriella |date=2023-06-16 |title=Church of England appoints Rachel Mann as first transgender Archdeacon |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/16/church-england-transgender-archdeacon-appointed-rachel-mann/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Helen |date=2024-01-19 |title=Church of England's first trans archdeacon: 'I promised I'd not prioritise being a priest over love' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/rachel-mann-poet-church-of-england-archdeacon-interview/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In January 2023, a meeting of the Bishops of the Church of England rejected demands for clergy to conduct same-sex marriages. However, proposals would be put to the General Synod that clergy should be able to hold church blessings for same-sex civil marriages, albeit on a voluntary basis for individual clergy. This comes as the Church continued to be split on same-sex marriages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2023 |title=Church of England bishops refuse to back gay marriage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/18/church-of-england-bishops-refuse-to-back-gay-marriage |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2023, the General Synod narrowly voted to allow church blessings for same-sex couples on a trial basis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Bil |date=2023-11-16 |title=Church of England will try out blessing same-sex marriages |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/11/church-of-england-will-try-out-blessing-same-sex-marriages/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=LGBTQ Nation}}</ref> In December 2023, the first blessings of same-sex couples began in the Church of England.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-17 |title=Felixstowe same-sex couple receives one of Anglican church's first blessings |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-67743298 |access-date=2023-12-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Francis |date=18 December 2023 |title=Blessing prayers used for the first time for same-sex couples |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/22-december/news/uk/blessing-prayers-used-for-the-first-time-for-same-sex-couples |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref> In 2024, the General Synod voted to support moving forward with "stand-alone" services of blessing for same-sex couples after a civil marriage or civil partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-10 |title=Church of England's General Synod backs standalone services for same-sex blessings |url=https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2024/07/10/church-of-englands-general-synod-backs-standalone-services-for-same-sex-blessings/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Episcopal News Service |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Mark |date=2024-07-10 |title=Same Sex Blessings in the C of E: 'The Bus Rolls On' |url=https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/same-sex-blessings-in-the-c-of-e-the-bus-rolls-on/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=The Living Church |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=2024-07-08 |title=Church of England moves closer to services of blessing for same-sex couples |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/08/church-of-england-synod-vote-services-blessing-same-sex-couples-welby |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

The Church of England set up the [[Church Urban Fund]] in the 1980s to tackle poverty and [[Social deprivation|deprivation]]. It sees poverty as trapping individuals and communities with some people in urgent need, leading to [[Dependant|dependency]], [[homelessness]], [[hunger]], [[social isolation|isolation]], [[low income]], [[mental health]] problems, [[social exclusion]] and violence. They feel that poverty reduces confidence and [[life expectancy]] and that people born in poor conditions have difficulty escaping their disadvantaged circumstances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cuf.org.uk/about|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214051036/http://www.cuf.org.uk/about|url-status=dead|title=About Church Urban Fund|archive-date=14 December 2013}}</ref>

In 2009, the Church of England estimated that it had approximately 25–26&nbsp;million [[baptised]] members – about 47% of the English population.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gledhill |first1=Ruth |title=Christian asks to be 'de baptised' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/christian-asks-to-be-de-baptised-9bzq7mtzs2q |access-date=16 February 2021 |work=[[The Times]] |date=18 March 2009 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{cite book|chapter=The representation of religious faiths |title=A House for the Future |publisher=UK Parliament |date=2010 |page=155 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266078/chap15.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725104756/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266078/chap15.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> This number had remained consistent since 2001 and was cited again in 2013, 2014, and 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coombe |first1=Victoria |title=Baptised Anglicans are now a minority |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1357547/Baptised-Anglicans-are-now-a-minority.html#:~:text=Babies%20born%20to%20two%20Anglican,per%20cent%20of%20the%20population. |access-date=16 February 2021 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=26 September 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Nasralla|first=Shadia|date=21 March 2013|title=Update 1-Former oil executive becomes new head of Anglicans|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/religion-anglicans-idUSL6N0CDEGS20130321|access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cullinane |first=Susannah |date=2014-07-14 |title=Church of England to allow female bishops |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/07/14/world/europe/uk-church-women-bishops/index.html |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=CNN }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Most Church of England priests say Britain no longer a Christian nation, warn of 'extinction' |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/aug/30/rue-britannia-most-church-england-priests-say-brit/ |access-date=June 27, 2025 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2010, the government estimated that there were 24,841,000 baptised members of the Church of England.<ref name=":7" /> According to a 2016 study published by the ''[[Journal of Anglican Studies]]'', the Church of England continued to claim 26 million baptised members, while it also had approximately 1.7 million active baptised members.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Muñoz|first=Daniel|date=May 2016|title=North to South: A Reappraisal of Anglican Communion Membership Figures|journal=[[Journal of Anglican Studies]]|volume=14|issue=1|pages=71–95|doi=10.1017/S1740355315000212|issn=1740-3553|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Ruth |last=Gledhill |date=12 November 2015|title=Anglican membership figures could be out by millions|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/anglican-membership-figures-could-be-out-by-millions/70392.htm|access-date=25 July 2021|website=Christian Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerns |first=Andrew |date=13 November 2015 |title=Exactly how big is the Anglican Communion? |url=https://www.episcopalcafe.com/exactly-how-big-is-the-anglican-communion/ |website=Episcopal Cafe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415072712/https://www.episcopalcafe.com/exactly-how-big-is-the-anglican-communion/ |archive-date=15 April 2021 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The Center for the Study of Worldwide Christianity's research found that the Church of England counted more than 24 million members in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodhew |first=David |date=2022-02-22 |title=Is Anglicanism Growing or Dying? New Data |url=https://livingchurch.org/covenant/is-anglicanism-growing-or-dying-new-data/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=The Living Church |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2017, ''Growth and Decline in the Anglican Communion: 1980 to the Present'', published by [[Routledge]], collected research reporting there were 25 million baptised members of the Church of England, 1 to 4 million monthly individual attenders, and 1.1 million adults on the Electoral Rolls.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |title=Growth and decline in the Anglican communion: 1980 to the present |publisher=Routledge |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4724-3364-0 |editor-last=Goodhew |editor-first=David |edition=1st |series=Routledge contemporary ecclesiology |location=London New York |pages=272-276, 279}}</ref> In 2025, ''[[Church Times]]'', using 2020 data provided by the church itself, reported that the Church of England has approximately 23 million baptised members, about 41% of the English population, a modest decline from 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How much influence does the global Anglican Communion have in choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury? |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/6-june/features/features/how-will-the-global-anglican-communion-be-represented-in-deciding-the-next-archbishop-of-canterbury |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=www.churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref>  

In 2008, 13.4 million Britons actively self-identified themselves as members of the Church of England.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-07-15 |title=Anglican Church around the world |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3226753.stm |access-date=2025-06-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-07-15 |title=Anglican Church around the world |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3226753.stm |access-date=2025-06-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2018, the [[British Social Attitudes Survey]] found that 14% of Britons, or about 10 million people, self-identified as members of the Church of England; this was called an "unrelenting decline" by a spokesperson for the survey.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=6 September 2018 |title=Church of England numbers in Britain are at record low - survey |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/church-of-england-numbers-in-britain-are-at-record-low-survey-idUSKCN1LM3DI/ |access-date=17 April 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> Also in 2018, research conducted by [[YouGov]] found that 56% of Christians in England and Wales self-identified as members of the Church of England or the Church in Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Christians in England and Wales are Anglican or Catholic |url=https://legacy.biblesociety.org.uk/lumino/insights/national/most-christians-in-england-and-wales-are-anglican-or-catholic/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=legacy.biblesociety.org.uk}}</ref> In 2023, 53% of Christians in the UK, or about 16.7 million people, identified as Anglican, most in the Church of England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Europe’s religious landscape: Faith and religious diversity in an era of rapid change |url=https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/fileadmin/files/PicturePark/2023-10/ST-DZ_Factsheet_Europe_s_religious_landscape_2023.pdf |access-date=July 21, 2025 |website=Betelsmann-Stiflung}}</ref> According to David Voas, conducting research in 2001 at the University of Sheffield, the number of baptised members was expected to decline at a rate of 1 million every five years;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-09-26 |title=Baptised Anglicans are now a minority |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1357547/Baptised-Anglicans-are-now-a-minority.html |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}</ref> their number was reported to have fallen to 20 million in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-31 |title=Archbishop Justin Welby, former head of Anglican Church, admits he was 'wrong' |url=https://international.la-croix.com/religion/archbishop-justin-welby-former-head-of-anglican-church-admits-he-was-wrong |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=La croix international |language=en}}</ref> Research published in 2022 showed that the large number of people baptised in the Church of England is due to the state church's "quasi-ethnic dimension, whereby the large numbers of the English population have been baptized (sic) Anglican, even though they otherwise engage minimally with the church or Christian faith. The C of E’s nominal membership is 24 million, but its...Sunday attendance was a small fraction of that figure."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodhew |first=David |date=2022-02-22 |title=Is Anglicanism Growing or Dying? New Data |url=https://livingchurch.org/covenant/is-anglicanism-growing-or-dying-new-data/#:~:text=Since%202015%20the%20Communion%20has,size%20it%20was%20in%201970. |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=The Living Church |language=en-US}}</ref>

Due to the Church of England's status as the [[state religion|established]] church, in general, anyone may be married, have their children baptised or their funeral held in their local [[Church of England parish church|parish church]], regardless of whether they are baptised or regular churchgoers.<ref>See the pages linked from the [http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/ Life Events page on the Church of England website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122050046/http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/ |date=22 November 2010}}</ref> In 2017, research found that 20% of children continue to be baptised in the Church of England.<ref name=":8" /> According to the church's data, around 8 million people attended services, including special services and carols, during the Advent and Christmas season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Christmas attendance at highest level for more than a decade |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/christmas-attendance-highest-level-more-decade |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=www.churchofengland.org}}</ref> Including special events, about 35%<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian Research - Anglican UK |url=https://christian-research.org/reports/archives-and-statistics/anglican-uk/ |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=christian-research.org}}</ref> of the population, or "more than a third of adults in the country go to church at some point during the Christmas season, if only for choral concerts or nativity plays."<ref>{{Cite book |title=Growth and decline in the Anglican communion: 1980 to the present |publisher=Routledge |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4724-3364-0 |editor-last=Goodhew |editor-first=David |edition=1st |series=Routledge contemporary ecclesiology |location=London New York |pages=272}}</ref>

|+

!2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/statisticsformission2022.pdf |title=Statistics for Mission 2022 |publisher=The Church of England Research & Statistics |date=2023 |last=Eames |first=Ken |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref>{{Efn|Using 2022 due to [[COVID-19 pandemic|Covid]] restrictions in 2021}}

|984,000

|1,007,000

|927,300

|654,000

|693,000

|983,000

|858,400

|779,800

|547,000

|574,000

|861,000

|938,000

|1,622,000

|1,961,000

* [[Deanery]], ''e.g.'', Lewisham or Runnymede. This is the area for which a [[Rural Dean]] (or area dean) is responsible. It consists of a number of parishes in a particular district. The rural dean is usually the incumbent of one of the constituent parishes. The parishes each elect lay (non-ordained) representatives to the deanery [[synod]]. Deanery synod members each have a vote in the election of representatives to the diocesan synod.

* [[Diocese]], ''e.g.'', [[Diocese of Durham]], [[Diocese of Guildford]], [[Diocese of St Albans]]. This is the area under the jurisdiction of a diocesan bishop, ''e.g.'', the bishops of Durham, Guildford and St Albans, and will have a cathedral. There may be one or more [[suffragan bishop]]s within the diocese who assist the diocesan bishop in his ministry, ''e.g.'', in Guildford diocese, the Bishop of Dorking. In some very large dioceses a legal measure has been enacted to create "episcopal areas", where the diocesan bishop runs one such area himself and appoints "area bishops" to run the other areas as mini-dioceses, legally delegating many of his powers to the area bishops. Dioceses with episcopal areas include [[Diocese of London|London]], [[Diocese of Chelmsford|Chelmsford]], [[Diocese of Oxford|Oxford]], [[Diocese of Chichester|Chichester]], [[Anglican Diocese of Southwark|Southwark]], and [[Diocese of Lichfield|Lichfield]]. The bishops work with an elected body of [[Laity|lay]] and [[ordained]] representatives, known as the [[Diocesan Synod]], to run the diocese. A diocese is subdivided into a number of archdeaconries.

* [[Ecclesiastical province|Province]], ''i.e.'', Canterbury or York. This is the area under the jurisdiction of an [[archbishop]], ''i.e.'' the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Decision-making within the province is the responsibility of the General Synod (see also above). A province is subdivided into dioceses.

* [[Primacy of Canterbury|Primacy]], ''i.e.'', Church of England. The [[Archbishop of York]]'s title of "Primate of England" is essentially honorific and carries with it no powers beyond those inherent in being [[Archbishop]] and [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan]] of the [[Province of York]].<ref name="EGM">{{cite book

</ref> The [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], on the other hand, the "Primate of All England", has powers that extend over the whole of England, and also [[Wales]]—for example, through his [[Court of Faculties|Faculty Office]] he may grant a "special marriage licence" permitting the parties to marry otherwise than in a church: for example, in a school, college or university chapel;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.facultyoffice.org.uk/special-marriage-licences/couples/general-information-about-marriage-in-the-church-of-england/| title= Faculty Office : Special Marriage Licence – Marriage Law Information – School, College and University Chapels | access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref> or anywhere, if one of the parties to the intended marriage is in danger of imminent death.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.facultyoffice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Emergency-marriage-in-hospital-for-issue-April-2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614235930/http://www.facultyoffice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Emergency-marriage-in-hospital-for-issue-April-2020.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2020 |url-status=live| title= Faculty Office : Emergency Marriages in Hospital, Hospice or At Home (England and Wales) | access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref>{{efn|The powers to grant special marriage licences, to appoint [[notary public|notaries public]], and to grant [[Lambeth degree]]s, are derived from the so called "legatine powers" which were held by the Pope's Legate to England prior to the Reformation, and were transferred to the Archbishop of Canterbury by the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533. Thus they are not, strictly speaking, derived from the status of the Archbishop of Canterbury as "Primate of All England". For this reason, they extend also to Wales.<ref name=EGM/>

* [[Royal Peculiar]], a small number of churches which are more closely associated with [[the Crown]], for example [[Westminster Abbey]], and a very few more closely associated with the law which although conforming to the rites of the Church, are outside episcopal jurisdiction.

[[File:Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Archbishop_of_Canterbury_crop_2.jpg|thumb|233x233px|[[Justin Welby]], [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] from February 2013 to January 2025]]

The most senior bishop of the Church of England is the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], who is the [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitan]] of the southern province of England, the Province of Canterbury. He has the status of Primate of All England. He is the focus of unity for the worldwide Anglican Communion of independent national or regional churches. [[Justin Welby]] was the most recent Archbishop of Canterbury, from 4 February 2013 to his resignation effective on 6 January 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/justin-welby-archbishop-canterbury-resigns-bishop-staff-b2674734.html|title=Justin Welby lays down archbishop's staff as Church of England urged to undergo 'complete reform'|work=The Independent|date=2026-01-06}}</ref>

The second most senior bishop is the [[Archbishop of York]], who is the metropolitan of the northern province of England, the Province of York. For historical reasons (relating to the time of York's control by the [[Danelaw|Danes]])<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Ancient See of York}}</ref> he is referred to as the Primate of England. [[Stephen Cottrell]] became Archbishop of York in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Cottrell's biography |url=https://www.archbishopofyork.org/archbishop-york/stephen-cottrells-biography |website=The Archbishop of York |access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref> The [[Bishop of London]], the [[Bishop of Durham]] and the [[Bishop of Winchester]] are ranked in the next three positions, insofar as the holders of those sees automatically become members of the [[House of Lords]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/41-42/68/section/5/enacted

The process of appointing diocesan bishops is complex, due to historical reasons balancing hierarchy against democracy, and is handled by the [[Appointment of Church of England bishops|Crown Nominations Committee]] which submits names to the Prime Minister (acting on behalf of the Crown) for consideration.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Church and state in 21st century Britain : the future of church establishment |date=2009 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-0-230-23437-6 |editor-last=Morris |editor-first=R. M. |location=Basingstoke [England] |pages=54 |oclc=427853236}}</ref>

Another assembly is the [[Convocations of Canterbury and York|Convocation of the English Clergy]], which is older than the General Synod and its predecessor the Church Assembly. By the [[Synodical Government Measure 1969]] almost all of the Convocations' functions were transferred to the General Synod. Additionally, there are [[Diocesan Synod]]s and [[Deanery#Anglican usage|deanery synods]], which are the governing bodies of the divisions of the Church.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Of the 42 diocesan [[archbishop]]s and bishops in the Church of England, 26 are permitted to sit in the [[House of Lords]]. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York automatically have seats, as do the bishops of [[Bishop of London|London]], [[Bishop of Durham|Durham]] and [[Bishop of Winchester|Winchester]]. The remaining 21 seats are filled in order of seniority by date of [[consecration]]. It may take a diocesan bishop a number of years to reach the House of Lords, at which point he or she becomes a [[Lords Spiritual|Lord Spiritual]]. The [[Bishop of Sodor and Man]] and the [[Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe]] are not eligible to sit in the House of Lords as their dioceses lie outside the United Kingdom.<ref>[http://www.parliament.uk/directories/house_of_lords_information_office/alphabetical_list_of_members.cfm House of Lords: alphabetical list of Members] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702053341/http://www.parliament.uk/directories/house_of_lords_information_office/alphabetical_list_of_members.cfm |date=2 July 2008}}. Retrieved 12 December 2008.</ref>

Although they are not part of England or the United Kingdom, the Church of England is also the established church in the [[Crown Dependencies]] of the [[Isle of Man]], the [[Jersey|Bailiwick of Jersey]] and the [[Bailiwick of Guernsey]]. The Isle of Man has its own diocese of [[Sodor and Man]], and the [[Bishop of Sodor and Man]] is an ex officio member of the [[Legislative Council of the Isle of Man|legislative council]] of the [[Tynwald]] on the island.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gell|first1=Sir James|title=Gell on Manx Church|url=http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/manxsoc/msvol31/gell.htm|website=Isle of Man Online|publisher=IOM Online|access-date=7 February 2017}}</ref> Historically the [[Channel Islands]] have been under the authority of the [[Bishop of Winchester]], but this authority has temporarily been delegated to the [[Bishop of Dover]] since 2015. In [[Jersey]] the [[Dean of Jersey]] is a non-voting member of the [[States of Jersey]]. In [[Guernsey]] the Church of England is the [[State religion|established church]], although the [[Dean of Guernsey]] is not a member of the [[States of Guernsey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.churchofengland.org.gg/about|website=Guernsey Deanery|publisher=Church of England}}</ref>

==Sex abuse==

In June 2023, the [[Archbishops' Council]] dismissed the three board members of the Independent Safeguarding Board, which was set up in 2021 "to hold the Church to account, publicly if needs be, for any failings which are preventing good safeguarding from happening". A statement issued by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York referred to there being "no prospect of resolving the disagreement and that it is getting in the way of the vital work of serving victims and survivors". [[Jasvinder Sanghera]] and Steve Reeves, the two independent members of the board, had complained about interference with their work by the Church.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Aleem|last1=Maqbool|first2=Steve|last2=Swann|title=21 June 2023 Church of England sacks independent abuse panel |work=BBC News |date=21 June 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65977524 |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref> The Bishop of Birkenhead, [[Julie Conalty]], speaking to [[BBC Radio 4]] in connection with the dismissals, said: "I think culturally we are resistant as a church to accountability, to criticism. And therefore I don't entirely trust the church, even though I'm a key part of it and a leader within it, because I see the way the wind blows is always in a particular direction."<ref>{{cite news |first1=Steve|last1=Swann|first2=Richard|last2=Galpin|title=22 June 2023 'Church seems less safe' says bishop after abuse panel sacked |work=BBC News |date=22 June 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65990105 |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref>

*Hardwick, Joseph. ''An Anglican British world: The Church of England and the expansion of the settler empire, c. 1790–1860'' (Manchester UP, 2014).

* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= England, The Church of | volume= 9 |last1= Hunt |first1= William |author1-link= William Hunt (priest) | pages = 442–454 |short=1}}