Many of the dioceses across the UK bank with Barclays – the biggest funder of fossil fuels in Europe since 2016. When a diocese chooses Barclays, this gives the bank social licence and political influence, as it is presenting itself as a bank associated with positive causes – instead of one which is bankrolling climate collapse. Barclays can then use this reputation to secure fossil fuel expansion deals. In this critical time for life on our planet, it is important that dioceses put their money where their mouth is. If they are declaring their positive impact, they need to move away from this destructive bank.

Christian Aid, Sheffield Cathedral and Greenbelt Festival all pledged to drop Barclays in 2023 due to their funding of climate breakdown, and other charities are also reconsidering their banking arrangements. Now we are urging diocese to do the same.

Which Church of England Dioceses bank with Barclays?

By looking at the annual reports and accounts of Church of England dioceses, we identified that the following dioceses bank with Barclays:

• Chelmsford
• Chichester
• Ely
• Gloucester
• Leeds
• Leicester
• London
• Newcastle
• Norwich
• Portsmouth,
• Peterborough
• Rochester
• St Albans
• York

We have written to each of these dioceses, asking them to confirm whether they bank with Barclays. None of the dioceses wrote back saying they do not.

If your diocese is not on the list above, this does not necessarily mean that they do not bank with Barclays. It may mean that they bank with Barclays, but are yet to be identified. We would appreciate if you wrote to your diocese enquiring who they bank with and email the answer to christianclimateaction@gmail.com

How can I get involved?

Stage 1

Ask dioceses to attend the February bank switching workshop: Christian Climate Action are teaming up with Make My Money Matter and Green Christian to run a workshop for the Finance Directors and DEO’s of dioceses that bank with Barclays. This workshop is taking place on the 8th February, 10:30am to 12noon. The workshop goal is to make moving banks easier for diocese and share helpful guidance.

All diocese on the list above have been contacted with an invitation to the workshop.

Please contact your diocese and urge them to send a representative to the workshop (such as a DEO or finance officer).

You can find the website for your diocese by clicking HERE, and then locating the contact us section.

Example template email can be found HERE. Please do edit the template, to make it your own.

Stage 2

Prayerful Protest: In the dioceses that do not pledge to drop Barclays and move to a move ethical bank, we will be carrying out vigils and prayerful protests. What the prayerful protest looks like will be different in each diocese and will take place on different dates.

Ideas for potential actions:

• Hold a prayerful action outside of a Diocesan Synod meeting
• Hold a prayerful action outside of a Diocesan Office
• Hold a prayerful action at the diocese Cathedral
• Hold a prayerful action at the Church where the Bishop is speaking

We would love for you to join in on one of these prayerful protests. Please contact christianclimateaction@gmail.com to see how you can join in at Chelmsford, Chichester, Ely, Gloucester, Leeds, Leicester, London, Newcastle, Norwich, Portsmouth, Peterborough, Rochester, St Albans or York.