AIMS OF THE CONFERENCE
The focus of the conference will be the future prospects for the Church in its engagement with the public sphere in the changed circumstances of the 21st century. The ‘High Establishment’ of the Church of England, as the National Church, faces major changes, not least as a result of anticipated Parliamentary reform. But probably of most concern, for those working in parishes or in sectoral ministry and for lay members of the Church, is the future of its deeply rooted legal role in civic life, both nationally and locally.
The first two sessions of the conference will consider the changing constitutional position of the Church of England. Sessions 3 and 4 will address the legal framework for 'low', ie grass roots, establishment, and in particular, the place of the Church in schools and in the work of chaplaincies in the public sphere.
It is hoped that the workshops towards the end of the conference may provide a basis for future work by the Society in making an informed legal contribution to the evolving relationships of Church and State with both the ‘Big Society’ and with local communities.
SPEAKERS
1. The Rt Revd Timothy Stephens, Bishop of Leicester.
2. Mr RM Morris: Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Constitution Unit at University College London.
3. Professor Roger Trigg: Formerly Professor of Philosophy, now Emeritus Professor at the University of Warwick
4. Mr Paul Barber: Director of the Education Service of the Archdiocese of Westminster.
5. The Revd Janina Ainsworth: Chief Education Officer of the Church of England, and Director of the National Society.
6. The Revd Dr Chris Swift: St James' Hospital Leeds
7. The Ven William Noblett: Head of the Prison Chaplaincy Service.
8. The Ven Stephen Robbins: Chaplain General to the Army
9. Lord Rodger of Earlsferry: Justice of the Supreme Court
