The Disestablishment of the Church of England

This book analyses the practical legal measures that would have to occur in order to make disestablishment and disendowment of the Church of England a reality. Drawing on discussions from a number of different disciplines, it contextualises the legal position of the Church by exploring the existence of State Churches in various jurisdictions and stages. These include countries with State Churches, such as Greece, Finland, Scotland and Denmark as well as those where the State Church has already been disestablished such as Sweden, Ireland and Wales. It presents an analysis on what establishment means and the structure of the established Church in England with discussion on the constitutional complexities of the State’s relationship with the Church, the problems of disendowment and the legal and social challenges faced in maintaining an established Church. The arguments for and against are presented with a focus on how practical disestablishment would be in legal terms and what laws would need to be amended, repealed and created in order to secure disestablishment. The book includes a Draft Disestablishment Act as well as conclusions on how this would impact individuals at a grass-root level.

The book will provide a valuable resource for all those interested in law and religion, church/state relations, and constitutional law.