Poor Anglican churches in northern England complain that their richer southern brethren aren't sharing the wealth

For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Romans 15:26

Liberal churches tend to be very vocal in advocating "sharing the wealth" of others by means of compulsory state socialism, but they seem to be a lot less enthusiastic about sharing their own wealth within their own ranks. As reported by Hayley Dixon of the London Daily Telegraph, August 5, 2018 (link in original):

The Church of England has become embroiled in a row over a "postcode lottery" as northern churches are facing a financial black hole.

As Leeds, the newest and geographically the largest diocese, announced that it would have to lay off 14 staff and close its pension scheme to try and plug a £3million deficit, some blamed it on a north-south divide.

They called on the church to share the wealth more evenly.

Diocese with historic wealth have assets to draw on in tough times and therefore do not have to ask for so much money from their parishes. Congregations in poorer areas are also less likely to be able to contribute financially.

Andy Delmege, vicar at St Bede’s Brandwood in Birmingham and chair the National Estates Churches Network, which promotes inner city churches, said: "Why should ministry be harder in Birmingham or Newcastle or Manchester because they are newer diocese formed without historic assets? This inequality makes life harder for the parishes and clergy which are at the sharp end of it.

"We might want to ask what the gospel says on this. Well it certainly doesn't advocate a postcode lottery."

He told BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme that they need to "urgently work out ways of justly sharing our historic wealth".

Of the ten diocese with the largest income in England, eight are in the south.

His comments follow those of the Rt Rev Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley, who said there was a "'shocking disparity" between diocese and that the situation in Leeds was "a symptom of a much deeper financial and spiritual institutional sickness."

Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, yesterday described his fellow Bishop's comments as "nonsense".

The Reverend Canon Sam Corley, the Rector of Leeds, said that a "cheque from the south would be nice" but would not solve the issues facing the future of inner city churches and those in deprived areas.

See also my post Anglican churches in England are selling stained glass windows and organs to make ends meet (July 5, 2018)