Jurisdiction of the See
‘See’ means the office of Bishop of a particular Diocese – in this case Truro, where the See was re-founded in 1877, and ‘jurisdiction’ deals with the legal authority in the Diocese. So this section goes beyond the Bishop and his staff to the legal officers of the Diocese, and the elected members of General Synod, who serve for terms of five years.
The Chancellor of the Diocese
The Chancellor is the senior legal authority within the structures of the Diocese. It is to him that the Registrar refers for legal advice relating to such matters as complicated or contentious faculties. As a senior lawyer, the Chancellor has written a number of books which are an invaluable guide for parochial officers
The Chancellor is
Timothy J Briden MA LLB
Lamb Chambers, Lamb Building, Elm Court, Temple, London EC4Y 7AS
Tel: 0207 797 8300 Fax 0207 707 8308 E mail: info@lambchambers.co.uk
The Diocesan Registrar
The Diocesan Registrar is Mr Martin Follett, who has been Registrar of Truro for over twenty years. In 2008 he also became Registrar of the Diocese of Exeter, and as such divides his time between the two Dioceses. As the senior lawyer retained by the Diocese to offer advice on ecclesiastical law, Martin Follett and his office can always be consulted by parishes, diocesan officers and by the Bishop and his staff for legal advice.
Martin J Follett, MA
Michelmores LLP, Woodwater House, Pynes Hill, Exeter, EX2 5WR
Tel: 01392 687415 Fax 01392 360 563 E mail: mjf@michelmores.com
The Communications Officer
The Communications Officer is David Watson, appointed in December 2009, He is responsible for Diocesan public relations, and two-way internal communications within the Diocese. He is available for advice to the media, the Bishops and clergy, and provides support, training and information for Diocesan Officers, parishes, groups and individuals.
David Watson
Diocesan Office, Kenwyn, TRURO, TR1 1JQ
Tel: 01872 274351 (Office hours) 01637 875951 (evenings)
E-mail david.watson@truro.anglican.org
The Diocesan Secretary
The role of the Diocesan Secretary is sometimes regarded as the ‘senior civil servant' within the Diocesan administration. All of the staff at Diocesan House are the direct responsibility of the Diocesan Secretary, but as a member of the Bishop's staff the Diocesan Secretary is the senior lay representative within that team.
Diocesan House, Kenwyn, Truro, TR1 1JQ
Tel: 01872 274351 Fax: 01872 222510
General Synod
Members of General Synod are elected for five years, and there is provision for them to meet up to three times a year, with one of their sessions residential at the University of York, and their other meetings held at Church House Westminster.
The Synod has three Houses, of Bishops, Clergy and Laity. A Diocesan Bishop is automatically a member of General Synod, by reason of his office. The Clergy are geographically divided into two ‘Convocations': The Convocation of Canterbury for clergy working in the southern Province, and the Convocation of York, for those in the northern Province.
Convocation of Canterbury:
The Bishop of Truro
The Revd Alan Bashforth
The Ven Roger Bush
The Revd Canon Perran Gay
House of Laity
Mrs Susie Leafe
Mrs Sheri Sturgess
Gp Capt Paul Terrett OBE
Members of General Synod may be contacted through Diocesan House on 01872 274351 or click here to send an email. Please select General Information from the drop down menu on the contact form.