28 October 2010
The 2009 office and working costs of bishops in the Church of
England are published today. Figures for individual bishops were
first published, for the year 2000, in December 2001. Bishops'
office and working costs were previously published as a total
figure.
Bishops' office and working costs for the year ended 31 December
2009 are published on the Church of England website.
Note
The report includes a full description of the important role
played by bishops locally, regionally and nationally.
The 113 diocesan and suffragan bishops of the Church of England
institute and support the ministry of all clergy and lay ministers
in their dioceses, as well as providing pastoral support to them.
Each diocesan bishop has ultimate oversight of several hundred
clergy, Readers and lay workers and of a diocesan budget and
portfolio of assets. In addition to diocesan responsibilities, such
as ordinations and diocesan festivals, and engaging with the
communities which they serve, bishops often chair or serve on
national and international Church boards and councils, as well as
large charities, special commissions or public inquiries. They are
involved in the growing work towards visible unity with other
denominations both nationally and internationally and in work with
other faiths.
Twenty-six diocesan bishops sit in the House of Lords: at least
one is present every day and others will attend according to the
subjects under debate that day. The Bishop of Sodor & Man sits
in the Tynwald.