News Stories
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17 Sept. 2025
in GeneralIndependent audit praises safeguarding in diocese and cathedral
An independent audit has praised the transformation of the safeguarding culture within our diocese and our cathedral over recent years. The report, by independent safeguarding group INEQE, was published after a digital survey earlier in the year and a week-long in-person visit in June. The audit said that our diocese had gone through “a substantial and positive transformation in its safeguarding culture, establishing a firmly embedded and robust framework.” Read more
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11 Sept. 2025
in EnvironmentChurches encouraged to switch to green energy to care for creation
This Creationtide, the Dioceses of Chichester, Guildford and Portsmouth are joining the call for churches to switch to a green energy tariff to help reduce their carbon emissions. Read more
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5 Sept. 2025
in General“My family has flashbacks when protesters surround hotel”
A churchgoing asylum seeker says his family live in fear when protesters chant outside the hotel they have been placed in. He has revealed something of what life is like when waiting in a hotel for an asylum claim to be processed. Read more
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4 Sept. 2025
in GeneralTwo Bishops of Portsmouth issue statement about asylum
The Church of England and Roman Catholic Bishops of Portsmouth have issued a joint statement on asylum in the wake of protests outside a hotel in Southsea. They have urged a more constructive and compassionate approach to dealing with asylum claims, as well as people’s real concerns about immigration. Read more
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26 Aug. 2025
in GeneralNaval chaplaincy is always available
The chaplaincy team on HM Naval Base Portsmouth is always available for naval personnel, civil servants and even external contractors who work there. Read more
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20 Aug. 2025
MY FAITH: Navy pioneer faced challenges to faith
Leroy Osbourne was the first black Chief Petty Officer in his branch of the Royal Navy. He had to cope with a variety of challenges to his faith, both in the Navy and afterwards. Now he’s involved with St Mary’s Church, Portchester, helping with children and young people, and with the building itself. Read more
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20 Aug. 2025
in GeneralEuropean Holiday at Home in Copnor
A new, temporary gateway to Europe opened up at the end of July in the heart of Copnor as volunteers at St Cuthbert’s Church laid on a virtual travel extravaganza for older people in the area. Read more
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18 Aug. 2025
in EnvironmentEco-friendly transformation of city centre church
Part of the transformation that has taken place at St Margaret’s Church, Southsea, has included a full refurbishment of their energy and heating system. This story was originally written and published by the national Church of England Environment & NZC team. Read more
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16 Aug. 2025
Teenagers encounter God on activity holiday
Dozens of teenagers from church youth groups across our diocese encountered God on the latest High Tide summer residential holiday. The 11 to 18-year-olds spent five days at the YMCA centre in Fairthorne Manor, near Botley. They enjoyed abseiling, climbing, paddle boarding, a firepit, silent disco and escape room – as well as inspiring worship, teaching about the life of Joseph, and prayer. It was the fifth High Tide holiday organised in the past five years. Read more
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11 Aug. 2025
Urban role will be new challenge
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Dan Greenfield to be the new vicar of St Margaret’s Church in Southsea. Dan, who is currently associate priest in Crofton parish, will take on the leadership of this congregation, which was launched as a church plant in 2017 and is now fully engaged with its local community. Read more