PROPOSALS to relax canon law so churches with shrinking congregations are not obliged to hold Sunday services have been backed locally if it's the "last resort".

Legal requirements for Anglican churches to hold prayer and holy communion every Sunday are problematic for many rural spots due to falling vicar numbers and reverends having responsibility for several parishes.

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The Church of England is considering abandoning the legal requirement for Sunday services as those that don't hold prayers are technically breaking canon law.

Local reverends have had their say on the issue, saying it is a good compromise between tradition and the reality of falling congregations.

Local reaction

Revd Andy Batchelor, of St Mary's Vicarage on Walney, said: "I think local churches, especially in rural communities, are an important part of that community. I would see it as a last resort if we can relocate that congregation - I can see the sense of that.

"To maintain a church building is very difficult financially so there's pressure in that regard.

"Across Barrow some churches have closed down due to structural problems for one reason or another or because of falling congregations.

"I wouldn't want to be too pessimistic about it, there's also growth in other parts of the church.

"For us in Cumbria, the Carlisle Diocese has a lot of church buildings and it's challenging but it also can be innovative for local communities to get together."

The proposed amendments to the canon law would relax the requirements for regular worship in parish churches in "sparsely populated benefices" in Canons B11 and B14.

The change would recognise the decline in church attendance, as some falling congregations have merged to make sure their church stays open.

Bigger gatherings

Revd Gary Tubbs, of the Pennington and Lindal with Marton and Bardsea benefice, said: "The church is the community and the worshipping group of people, not the buildings - that's the important thing.

"Even if churches don't open there will be still gatherings of people.

"It's often the existing congregation that is keeping the churches going. People are getting older and the buildings aren't getting younger."

Many vicars are currently breaking church law by only holding services on a rotational basis, according to Rt Revd Pete Broadbend, chair of the Church of England's 'simplification task group'.

Nationally, the number of worshippers attending Sunday services has fallen to its lowest ever level, with 764,000 recorded in January 2016.