Save The Parish - Cornwall

The Church Commissioners have published their ruling on the controversial restructuring plan in Kerrier, upping the number of priests to three from two in response to representations made about the scheme.  Click here to read  their report on the hearing that took place on 13 May 2026.

There are fundamental flaws at the core of the controversial pastoral re-reorganisation plan for Kerrier deanery in west Cornwall, Rev Marcus Walker writes in today's Church Times (8 May 2026):   "Let us take all of what the diocese says at face value. If it is invoking an Evangelical reformed tradition of Truro, and itself holds to a reformed theology of the eucharist, what does it think is happening at communion by extension? Ripped from the context of the gathered community at the supper of the Lord, and without any theology of the real presence, what is being offered to the people of God in these services of communion by extension according to its own theology? Cranmer, Calvin, and John Stott would all say the same: nothing. There is no participation in the supper of the Lord on earth or in heaven. Their people have asked for bread and are being given a stone. On its own terms this plan fails; it should not stand. "  Click here to read the full Letters' ...

  Click here to read the full article.    The Church Commissioners's hearing is in response to the high level of objections to the Diocese of Truro's controversial plan to create a giant new benefice in Kerrier, west Cornwall.  Sir Robert Buckland, former Solicitor General for England and Wales and current Church of England third Estate Commissioner, will oversee proceedings. Here is a link to papers, now in the public domain, that will be discussed at the hearing.  https://www.churchofengland. org/resources/parish- reorganisation-and-church- property/consultation-parish- reorganisation-and-closed- church-proposals/proposals- affecting-benefices

Falmouth Packet 22 April 2026 Responding to a high level of local objection, the Church Commissioners will hold a hearing on the Diocese of Truro's controversial plan to create a giant new benefice in Kerrier, west Cornwall. Sir Robert Buckland, former Solicitor General for England and Wales and current Church of England third Estate Commissioner, will oversee proceedings. Click  here  to read an article in this week's Falmouth Packet. A total of 167 people opposed the plan in a consultation: just 22 people supported it, including the two stipendiary clergy proposed in the reorganisation. The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev David Williams, continues to support the plan, which proposes creating one giant benefice, replacing the current six benefices.   Kerrier deanery covers the entire Lizard peninsular as well as Porthleven and other churches west of Helston. Hearing details -Wednesday 13 May 2026 10.30am - 1.00pm. National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth TR11 3Q....

There has been a seismic change in the the Diocese of Truro’s controversial On The Way  restructuring in Penwith Deanery. The original plan, drawn up some years ago despite local opposition, has been thrown out.  Other deaneries in the Diocese of Truro, still struggling with On The Way initiatives, should take heart from this radical change of direction. The extent of the 'reset'   -  referred to in technical terms in the February 2026 edition of Penwith Deanery News  - is revealed in detail in the lengthy minutes of a Penwith Deanery Synod held at St Pol de Leon Church, Paul, on 28 January 2026 which was attended by approximately 50 clergy and synod representatives. The minutes - more than 8,000 words long - were approved without amendment at a subsequent Penwith Deanery Synod earlier this month. They refer frequently to decisions made and views expressed at an extraordinary Deanery meeting in November 2025 called and chaired by Rural Dean Rev Adam T...

Deaneries in the west of the Diocese of Truro - Kerrier and Penwith - have been struggling with controversial restructuring plans known as On The Way, introduced by the former Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen. After years now of heated and often painful discussion, Penwith deanery has abandoned its On The Way plan. Following a well-attended meeting last November , it is moving on and making a fresh start.  Details below, circulated in the February 2026 edition of Penwith Deanery News.... Deanery Plan Development   1.        Deanery Planning Day 1.1.        The Deanery Planning Day (November 2025) began with Eucharist as a visible symbol of our unity. Each person shared the Body and Blood of Christ with each other. This rootedness in worship was deliberate to help us all focus on the source and destination of our work for the day. 1.2          We...