A third of Church of England clergy could be suffering from depression, according to a Church report.

Some 16 per cent of 500 clergy polled “show indications of probable clinical depression”, with a further 13 per cent showing “indications of possible or mild depression”, the Living Ministry report on clergy well-being from 2017 to last year found.

This could mean that around 6,000 out of the 20,000 total clergy within the Church are suffering depression.

The Covid pandemic, the cost of living crisis, wars, climate change and “social movements calling for gender and racial justice” are among the factors affecting clergy, according to the internal report.

Problems within the Church, such as dwindling congregations, safeguarding failures and the resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2024, also added to their stress.

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We reported on these findings in 2024. Not to suggest the issues have been resolved but the Church has since announced a package including a rise in the stipend and funding for Clergy Support Trust & St Luke’s Healthcare.https://t.co/qbn7kO8kjv

— Madeleine Davies (@MadsDavies) February 10, 2026

Romsey Abbey has been named a Demonstrator Church as part of the Church of England’s ambition to become net zero by 2030.

The abbey is currently working with two heritage consultancy firms to explore sustainable upgrades to its lighting and heating systems, with partial funding from the Church of England.

Jan Bartlett, lead churchwarden for the zero carbon initiative at Romsey Abbey, said: “The CofE’s Demonstrator Churches project aims to support high carbon emitting churches with zero carbon projects.

“Romsey Abbey is fortunate to have been selected for Demonstrator Church status and this year we will be receiving financial support towards the technical advice we need to take forward our heating and lighting projects.”

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Abbey working towards a greener future is recognised by Church of England https://t.co/TMdfMT3U0v

— Hampshire Chronicle (@hantschronicle) February 9, 2026

 The percentage of U.S. adults who anticipate high-quality lives in five years declined to 59.2% in 2025, the lowest level since measurement began nearly two decades ago. Since 2020, future life ratings have fallen a total of 9.1 percentage points, projecting to an estimated 24.5 million fewer people who are optimistic about the future now versus then. Most of that decline occurred between 2021 and 2023, but the ratings dropped 3.5 points between 2024 and 2025.

Americans’ ratings of their current lives have also declined since rebounding in 2021 but not as steeply as their future life ratings. And current life ratings are not at a low point; that occurred in 2020, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These results are a part of the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index. The 2025 results are based on data collected over four quarterly measurement periods, totaling 22,125 interviews with U.S. adults who are part of the Gallup Panel, a probability-based panel encompassing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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AMERICAN OPTIMISM HITS RECORD LOW

U.S. adults’ optimism about their future life fell to 59.2% in 2025, the lowest since Gallup began measuring nearly 20 years ago. Since 2020, future-life optimism dropped 9.1 points, equal to roughly 24.5 million fewer hopeful Americans.… pic.twitter.com/k6G253FfgC

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) February 10, 2026

‘…I will work with you, Synod, with my fellow bishops, and with our national church bodies, striving to ensure that the Kingdom is being nurtured everywhere – in parishes, chaplaincies, cathedrals and schools, in the smallest and most fragile communities, as well as the larger and more confident expressions of church, wherever disciples seek to be salt and light.  

I have always, in any leadership role, been committed to accountability and transparency. The way we treat one another, lay and ordained, through our various institutional processes, is vital to the health of our life together in Christ. We have too often failed to recognise or take seriously the abuse of power in all its forms. Robust and transparent processes are central to the health of any institution; proper process around appointments; clear guidelines around conduct and good processes for handling concerns, complaints and whistleblowing.  

And nowhere is accountability more imperative than in relation to safeguarding, where in the past we have fallen tragically short. Safeguarding is a fundamental, non-negotiable responsibility, sharpened by our past failings and shaped by the work we still have to do. I am committed to bringing an approach of seriousness and focussed direction to all matters relating to safeguarding in all contexts in the church. This approach must be trauma-informed, put victims and survivors at the heart of all we do and be committed to proper independence.  

I am grateful for the countless parish safeguarding officers, diocesan safeguarding professionals and the National Safeguarding Team and survivors and victims, who have worked and continue to work to make progress. Progress has been made, yet we are anything but complacent.  

We must be wholly committed to listening to victims and survivors, to independent scrutiny of our safeguarding practices, and to delivering timely and robust trauma-informed processes. We must be willing, always, for light to be shone on our actions and our decisions. We can only begin to rebuild trust and confidence through openness and integrity.’

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In her first speech as Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally called for an ‘independent scrutiny of our safeguarding practices’

Reporting on @ArchbishopSarah's 1st Presidential Address #synod @thetimes by @kayaburgess #GeneralSynodhttps://t.co/3Yq9S7FX7S

— Rebecca (Bex) Chapman (@bexchapman3boys) February 10, 2026

Assist us, O God, to love one another as sisters and brothers, and to balance discipline with love and rules with compassion, according to the example shown by thy servant Scholastica; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Today's the feast of St Scholastica, 6th Century founder of the Benedictine Order of nuns, and sister of St Benedict. She's on the early 16th Century screen at Wiggenhall St Mary the Virgin, Norfolk.

Wiggenhall SMtV: https://t.co/8WH5rHAbTN pic.twitter.com/QExkYmRp8I

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) February 10, 2026

O God, who hast sown in our hearts the precious seed of thy truth: Grant us to nourish it by meditation, prayer and obedience, that it may not only take root, but also bring forth fruit unto holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

#Brighton sunrise #UsualSeagull pic.twitter.com/typlLamFq6

— Stephen Royle (@Steveontour1) February 10, 2026

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I appeal to you, brethren, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. You should understand that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you. Amen.

–Hebrews 13:17-25

Guten Morgen und einen schönen Dienstag 😊 pic.twitter.com/Ex2JwZb7cG

— Renate Umundum (@RUmundum) February 10, 2026