2nd July 2026

Standing Commission reflection on mutual flourishing in the Diocese of Blackburn

A new Reflection Paper on mutual flourishing from the Standing Commission of The Church of England, featuring a wide range of voices from Blackburn Diocese, has been published today.

In October 2024, Bishop Philip wrote to the Chair of the Standing Commission, Michael Ipgrave, to invite them to visit the Diocese.

In his letter, Bishop Philip said: “There is an ongoing national conversation about the appropriateness of a bishop who does not ordain women to the priesthood being a Diocesan and I wondered if now might be an interesting time for the commission to explore that in context.”

After months of planning alongside the Bishop of Blackburn’s senior team, a sub-group of the Standing Commission visited in September 2025 to meet with representatives from across the diocese.

Representatives from the diocese were asked to consider a series of key questions (outlined in the final report) in advance of the visit and to offer their thoughts.

During their visit to the Diocese the Commission’s sub-group met The Dean of Women’s Ministry; female clergy; The Bishop’s Appointments Team; The Mutual Flourishing Group (an advisory group to the Bishop of Blackburn which meets around three times a year which is made up of men and women both ordained and lay from a variety of church traditions); Traditional Catholic and Complementarian Evangelical clergy and Bishop Philip himself.

In their report, and alongside several helpful recommendations, the Commission says that mutual flourishing was presented to them during their visit as ‘something which must and does work in the diocese’.

The Commission also noted that ‘this culture has been developed over a number of years’ and ‘commitment to mutual flourishing is therefore foundational and runs deeply’.

And their report adds: “The current Bishop of Blackburn’s own intentionality to push his conscience as far as possible for the sake of unity has certainly helped the diocese maintain and develop this culture.”

• Read the Commission’s full report on their page on the Church of England's national website here. (scroll down to the 'Work done by the Commission' section to find it).

Responding to the report today, a spokesperson for Blackburn Diocese said: “We are grateful to the Standing Commission for their care and attention when listening to voices from across our diocese and for the recommendations this report contains.

“The Commission’s report represents an important contribution to the Church of England’s ongoing reflection on what it means to live well with theological difference particularly, in this case, in relation to mutual flourishing.

“During a series of honest conversations the Commission members heard the lived experience of clergy and laity within a diocese where we are committed to being a place where all can flourish and where differences are held with generosity, integrity and respect.

“We acknowledge both the opportunities and the challenges that this brings, especially in areas where deeply held theological convictions intersect with questions of leadership, ministry and oversight.

“The Bishop of Blackburn and his team will now consider the Commission’s recommendations carefully; moving forward in a way that strengthens trust, supports clergy and congregations and enables our common life to reflect the mutual responsibility and continuing grace to which we are called.

“We remain mindful that this is part of a wider conversation within the Church of England and this Diocese will continue to its play our part with humility, openness and a shared commitment to the wider mission of the Church; especially in relation to bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.”