Diocese of Chichester

The agenda covered a wide range of topics central to diocesan life and mission, reviewing the Year of Faith, and looking forwards to the year ahead, including updates on diocesan finances, lay ministry, the Board of Education, and progress towards Net Zero Carbon goals.

The morning began with worship, followed by a warm welcome from the Bishop of Chichester, who opened proceedings with his presidential address and a greeting to new members. The Synod also welcomed Dr Tom Carpenter as the new Archdeacon of Chichester.

In his presidential address, the bishop reflected on the parable of the persistent widow as a symbol of the Church’s steadfast faith. Drawing connections from Scripture to modern witness, he spoke of faith as the quiet power that confronts injustice and sustains the Church through the ages. Structured around the “Four Mores,” he urged the Church to be more open, converted, generous and engaged — united in Christ’s seamless redemption, renewed in holiness, generous in reconciliation, and active in shaping a humane and faithful response to modern challenges such as artificial intelligence. His words underlined the shared call to faithfulness and collaboration across the Diocese of Chichester as it continues to serve its communities.

The Synod warmly welcomed the report of the Assets Committee which notified the Synod that the DBF would be divesting from Shell and BP in line with our Investment Policy as they were of the view that the plans of neither company conformed to the Paris Agreement.

The Synod approved the 2026 budget, and considered updates on Lay Ministry, Church Schools and the Diocesan Growth Strategy. The Synod also noted progress in comparing diocesan structures with those of other dioceses and reviewed recent discussions from General Synod.

The next meeting of the Diocesan Synod will take place on Saturday 6 June 2026.