19/05/2026
Two things accomplished which have been a long time coming.
1) Our commercial shop. When the Canonica was built in, I believe, 1913 (Canonica would best translate "rectory" and is the building next door to the church where Caireen and I live) the congregation elected to build a commercial shop into the ground floor (later expanded to include the first floor) on the understanding that a small to moderate sized congregation would struggle with the financial burden of maintaining a church in the downtown centre of Rome on the basis of congregational gifts alone. This proved the case and, while congregational giving is essential for the provision of ministry at All Saints', we enjoyed, in good years, the security of a steady income stream. Our past relationships with the middle men who lease the property from us and then rent it on to commercial interests have been difficult - at times quite toxic. For a period of time we were not receiving any rent from the property and ended that relationship and forged a new one. In an intervening two year period we were without that particular stream of income in the same way and it was very difficult indeed. Now, for the first time in probably ten years we have a major brand, selling high end bed and table linens in a shop which has been completely done over and looks wonderful. We're happy with them and they appear happy to be here with us. The middle man who manages the property on our behalf seems both principled and predictable and we are able to work with him.
2) Our recognition by the Italian government as an official Italian church. Discussions began between the Church of England and the Italian government (aided by the British Embassy) 20 years ago about allowing for the official recognition of the Church of England in Italy which brings with it certain benefits (whether these prove to be modest or exceptionally significant remains to be seen). The first step was the recognition of the Italy-wide association. The second step was, following the modification of our statues and the production of very different models of reporting our income and corporate life, the recognition of individual church's inclusion in the Association and their recognition by the Ministry of the Interior. Today I went to the Prefettura with a church warden and received our certificate.
These two steps are now, in a sense, done and dusted. It's good news on two fronts. But as I said in my Chaplain's Report to the AGM last Sunday;
"Friends – we are thankful for having pulled out of difficult years and back into a more organized and predictable pattern of church life – particularly (but not only) in the area of our finances. This brings with it not only relief but the challenge to ask ourselves, over the next couple of years, what might possibly come next. How can a moderately sized congregation like ours be a memorable part of the lives of the people who find themselves in our midst? How can we best become one of the really competent, godly and exciting churches in the Anglican Communion, adequate to the task God has set before us?"
What I feel today is that while the news is good, the slate looks a little bare and we have time now to poke a bit at the idea of "quality" and not just "bread and butter" issues like "surviving the year". I look forward to the time preceding my eventual retirement and a transistion here at All Saints' to the depth and breadth of those next steps.
