About The Society

The Society (or more fully, The Society under the patronage of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda) is an ecclesial body, led by a Council of Bishops. The purposes of The Society are to:

• Promote and maintain catholic teaching and practice within the Church of England.
• Provide episcopal oversight to which churches, institutions and individuals will freely submit themselves.
• Guarantee a ministry in the historic apostolic succession in which they can have confidence.

The parishes of The Society enjoy a relationship of full communion not only with their bishop but also with all the other parishes of The Society. In most cases this relationship is established by passing a resolution under the House of Bishops' Declaration. (Information about passing resolutions is available here.)

The Society is an ecclesial body, not a membership organization. It is supported by Forward in Faith and administered by its Director.  Further information about the relationship between The Society and Forward in Faith is available here.

Plans for the creation of the Society, under the patronage of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda, were announced by the catholic bishops of the Church of England on 24 September 2010.

The Society is episcopally led.  For each diocese there is a Bishop’s Representative.

Parishes can affiliate to The Society.

Priests and Deacons can register as Priests and Deacons of The Society.

The Society includes members of Religious Communities and Readers.

The Society is committed to: 

• Mission.
• The Church of England.
• Christian Unity.

The Society Prayer