The Diocese of London

The Church of England divides the country into administrative areas called dioceses, for which bishops are responsible. Dioceses are ultimately subdivided into parishes. Every inch of England falls within a Church of England parish. Each parish has a parish priest (who may have the title Vicar, Rector, or Priest-in-Charge), who is responsible for ensuring that worship and prayer takes place for and on behalf of the people who live in the parish. He or she also has the responsibility for providing pastoral and spiritual care for everyone in the parish.

The Diocese of London has existed since at least 314, when a bishop from London is recorded as attending a Council of Bishops in Arles, in southern France. The Diocese was reorganised in 604, since when there has been a constant succession of bishops.

The Diocese covers 277 square miles of Greater London north of the Thames from Staines in the west to the Isle of Dogs in the east and as far north as Enfield. There are 479 churches, a similar number of clergy and 140 people currently in training for the ordained ministry. The Diocese has 148 church schools with more than 46,000 pupils. There are some 150 social responsibility projects, incorporating work with children and young people, refugees, asylum seekers, the homeless, people with mental and physical disabilities, families and the elderly. There are also countless community based activities operated by Church of England churches in London such as mother and toddler groups, youth clubs and branches of uniformed organisations, such as Scouts and Guides.

Currently 68,000 people are registered as members of parish churches in the Diocese.  Under the guidance of the present Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres, the Diocese of London has set out its priorities and goals until 2007 in The London Challenge.

Click to visit the Diocese of London Web site