Someone didn’t do his homework .

The Church Commissioners seem to work quite separately from the ecclesiastical part of the Church of England.
A friend of mine worked for the CC as a legal assistant and she found them really unpleasant. Very snobbish and the worst kinds of capitalists and I doubt that they take much notice of the opinions of the clergy, even those at the top, when it comes to asset management.
Maybe he was taking a swipe at them too. He did complain about them investing in Wonga.
Local churches fall into disrepair or having continual 'roof appeals' while the assets of the Church sits in accounts gaining interest all while receiving tax relief.
I think that he is a much better man that previous Archbishops who have protected some very questionable people and who would not have called out these kinds of investments.
Hopefully the CoE will feel embarrassed about the way they earn or invest their money but it would be the first time, they seem fairly hardened to publicity.
I think anyone who works for mega rich churches and preaches to the poor has to be a bit of a hypocrite but beyond that I think that he is a good man and I don't see that anyone can disagree with the message. That should include the Church Commissioners with their expensive Westminster offices.

So money from gambling is used to renovate churches.
Needs must.

The church does get funding to restore buildings from the Heritage Lottery Fund too, although the way this is distributed is changing.
A spokesman for HLF said on Tuesday that the change would not equate to a cut in funding for places of worship, however. “This year, we will spend a guaranteed minimum of £20 million on places of worship, and if places of worship continue to apply for National Lottery funding at similar levels, we fully expect to spend at least this amount in subsequent years.”
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/7-april/news/uk/heritage-lottery-fund-removes-ring-fence-around-church-grants

In my opinion, the church should keep out of politics altogether.

Some of the money they have should surely be used to help the poor, not investing in companies!

Not sure what bishops actually do Cambia let alone what an Arch Bish does? Are they just kind of Bish Bosses ?

I too wonder why the church needs so much money that it stoops so low as to invest in a company such as Wonga ? Crikey knows what other “dodgy” shares they have.

Exactly, what's that in the bible about being easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than a rich man to get to heaven? CofE (and many other churches) are VERY rich.

Telly you have hit the nail on the head. What is the church using all this money for? I am not religious but surely the whole point of the church is to help people not amass money. Amazing how you can get to 62 and still be so naive!!!

I wish bishops would stick to bishopping and keep out of politics. Either that or enter politics.

I really expected better of the Archbishop than this.

It is part of his remit to care about these issues and to speak out for fairness and decency - but not at a political conference. However, this is hypocritical in the extreme.

I thought it was a brillliant idea from FF too Maw and Jalima fingers crossed that the ArchBish and his church do “put some money where their mouth is” after all they themselves have profited from the misery of the over 5000% interest rates often charged to Wonga customers . Unbelievable isn’t it?

DD would agree with him MawBroon as it allows her to 'explore other options'. It would make me very nervous; however she is not on a minimum wage like some.

Excellent idea, Mr Field - put your money where your mouth is, Archbishop! (To put it crudely )

What a brilliant idea from Frank Field.
Most of us regard zero hours contracts as nothing short of slavery, but last night on Any Questions one of the panel can’t femember who, but he is younger) , said many young people actually like the flexibility and quasi- independence it gives them.
Food for thought

Apparently the Administrators are selling Wonga’s loan book to the highest bidder and Frank Field of the Commons work and pension committee has written to the ArchBish suggesting that his church should perhaps use some of its £billions to buy the loans and write them off.

Mr Field writes “within these loan books will be some I assume devoted exclusively to their exploitation of the poor”.

‘Is there a possibility please of you asking the Church Commissioners quickly to assemble a consortium of good people with money who will attempt to buy those poor people’s loan books at a knockdown price?’

I watch and wait.

gilly Perhaps as the Church of England shareholder he was doing the right thing to draw attention to tax evasion by Google and Amazon.
I think the C of E should ensure that their investments are all ethical and morally sound.

As gillybob says, they also advertise jobs on zero hours contracts.


Deflect, deflect, deflect.
Not at all, OldMeg it looks as if his house is built on sand and not rock.

“As a responsible employer, the Church of England is now reviewing its working practices.
Must take a long time to review.

Oh dear, lemon. How dare a christian say anything political
Absolutely fine Maizie - as long as it is not hypocritical.

The C of E gets a whole lot of people working for nothing too!!

Amazing!

gillybob it's amazing, isn't it!
You would think the ArchBish would have check up first - or got one of his advisers to do so!

They don't pay their clergy very well considering some weeks they may work 40 hours and another week upwards of 80!

"“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone"

You are in a grumpy mood tonight lemon

Actually, it gets worse for the Archbishop as more comes out about the financial dealings of the Church and them employing zero hours contract people.
I think needing to become popular and outspoken overcame his common sense in doing a bit of research before doing so.

I may well be surprised that you hadn’t heard any other phrase Ilovecheese but really, who cares?

Nope, it was just childish of you.

Childish Lemon? It was a joke ?

I’m totally with you there Telly

I am surprised that lemongrove has not heard the phrase "The Tory party at prayer" before, it is very well known.

all I recognise PECS is that the far left on GN like to look down from the lofty moral heights and do a little light sneering from time to time.

Why you should think the C of E is 'the Tory Party at prayer'
is beyond me, there are all political colours within it's members [presumably you don't know that because you aren't a churchgoer.]

Yes, maverick bishops and Archbishops pop up periodically, particularly those that enjoy thinking they are a bit 'edgy'.