A Message from Bishop Edwin Barnes
President of The Church Union

In the nineteenth Century, the Church of England began to rediscover her catholic nature.  The Church Union was founded to foster this, and protect churches and individuals who were persecuted for their beliefs as catholic Anglicans.

By the mid twentieth century, the battle seemed all but over.  No-one seemed to doubt that to be an Anglican was to be part of the catholic church.

Over the past fifty years, this has begun to be challenged and under-mined.  The General Synod has increasingly driven the church towards becoming a branch of the State, and has adopted many of the assumptions of modern society.  So child-bearing has become a right rather than a responsibility, easy divorce and same-sex relationships have become acceptable, the termination of human life is thought of as a convenience, whether in old age or before birth.

The Church Union is attempting to counter this unthinking "liberalism" in particular by producing material, both printed and on-line, to help Anglicans think for themselves.  We also try to give support and advice to those facing up to bullying and intimidation by those in authority.  We are always glad to hear from anyone who wishes to join in this battle for the soul of the Church of England.