The Church of England has been “dealt a death knell” as parishes close at a record rate, a Telegraph investigation has revealed.
Almost 300 have disappeared in the past five years alone, analysis of church data reveals, the fastest rate since records began in 1960.
The startling figures come as a bombshell dossier accused bishops and senior clergy of “putting a gun to people’s heads” to drive through controversial plans to cut costs, merge parishes and cut vicars.
The claims come against the backdrop of declining congregation numbers, leaving many clergy afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs.
Read it all (one of many threads to catch up on).
Church of England parishes close at record rate https://t.co/G9xNCU2O1Q
— john milbank (@johnmilbank3) September 3, 2023