Carlisle Cathedral becomes registered charity

In 2017 the Church of England established a working party to look at the governance of cathedrals.

Their recommendations became the basis of the new Cathedral Measures, which was approved by the General Synod and came into law in 2021.

This requires all English Cathedrals to prepare a new set of Constitutions and Statutes and to apply to the CCEW for registration as a charity with Carlisle Cathedral being the first to complete this process.

Edith McColgan, Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to be the first cathedral to successfully be awarded charitable status, and are extremely proud of our dedicated staff, volunteers and advisers: without whose detailed and tireless work it would not have been possible.”

The magnificent quire of the cathedral (Image: Carlisle Cathedral)Essentially the new Measure calls for reorder of the organisational structure of cathedrals which enables them to function day to day and, consequently, to rewrite their governing documents.

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Previously, three bodies were responsible for the governance of the Cathedral –the Cathedral Chapter, Cathedral Council and College of Canons.

The new Measure replaces this arrangement and concentrates on Chapter as the primary governing and oversight body of the Cathedral.

In addition, the Measure requires cathedrals to register as a charity with the CCEW.

Members of Chapter will therefore become charity trustees and will also be subject to oversight by the CCEW, rather than just the Church Commissioners.

Interim Dean, Canon Michael Manley said: “We welcome the additional accountability that the Charity Commission will bring; and we are excited to use this new status to renew and enhance our commitment as a Praying, Cherishing and Transforming community for the County and Diocese that we serve.”

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