More transparency needed: local press in Cornwall reports Transforming Mission controversy

This week's local press in Cornwall picks up the current controversy over Transforming Mission - in Camborne and elsewhere in Cornwall. Headline: 'Campaigners want more transparency over church project'

»A MISSION to attract more worshippers to Anglican churches has become an embarrassment to the Diocese of Truro, a campaign group has claimed.

Save the Parish Cornwall (StPC) levelled the accusation following a meeting at which churchgoers from around Camborne attempted to find “a constructive way” out of the controversy caused by the Transforming Mission (TM) project.

The plans for TM in the Camborne area envisaged expenditure of £750,000 between 2019 and 2025. The Church Commissioners have met 60% of its costs and the diocese has contributed 40% from its reserves, but StPC says there has been a lack of transparency.

TM has also been rolled out in Falmouth, St Austell, Liskeard and Highertown. The diocese has agreed to an independent review of its finances, due to start this month.

An StPC spokesperson described TM as “a well-meaning attempt by the diocese to reach ‘missing generations’ and invigorate churches.

“In Camborne, however, as elsewhere in Cornwall, expected new worshippers and increased giving have not materialised and it has become something of an embarrassment to the diocese.

“In St Austell, Liskeard and Highertown TM finances are monitored directly by parochial church council charities and accounts are produced for the Charity Commissioners. In Camborne, however, this is not the case. Repeated requests for transparency have fallen on deaf ears. Large sums have been spent on capital works and salaries without sufficient scrutiny.”

The meeting in Camborne agreed proposals to be sent to senior members of the diocese including the new Bishop of Truro, the Right Reverend David Williams.

These ask that TM’s accounts and statistics be shared with the PCC and regularly monitored, that the statistics used to justify the project’s creation be made publicly available and that the diocese reflect on the lack of pastoral care by ordained clergy and share any findings and decisions.

The Diocese of Truro has been invited to comment but had yet to do so as we went to press.

Article Name:Campaigners want more transparency over church project
Publication:The Cornishman
18 September 2025 page 11

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