The ACC Diocese of the UK held it’s 34th annual Diocesan Synod on Saturday 9th May 2026, at the Cathedral Church of St Augustine of Canterbury, Painters Forstal, Nr Faversham, Kent.
At the beginning of the Pontifical High Mass, prior to the commencement of the Synod meeting, The Right Revd Damien Mead, Bishop Ordinary, renewed the dedication the Diocese to the Patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham. The Bishop was assisted at Mass by The Very Revd Canon Jonathan Munn, Obl OSB, (Dean of the Cathedral) who deaconed the Mass and The Very Revd Andrew Scurr (Diocesan Dean) who was subdeacon. The Venerable Raymond Thompson was Master of Ceremonies, and The Revd Gordon Tall (St Deiniol and Asaph with St Giles, Pembrokeshire) was the preacher. Mr Theo Wilmot was Received into the Full Communion of the ACC from the Roman Catholic Church. The singing was augmented by an ecumenical choir from Churches in Faversham
Following Lunch, the Bishop welcomed the delegates to the 
Synod and began the proceedings with prayer. Then followed the Credentials Report, Roll Call and data from the Annual Returns which had been distributed in advance via email by the Diocesan Secretary, Ms Nikki Meredith. It was determined that the Synod was quorate in both Houses of Clergy and Laity.
In his charge to the Synod, the Bishop said:
… As we gather for this Thirty?Fourth Diocesan Synod, our hearts are drawn once again to the gracious protection and intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham, Patron of this Diocese. Her presence in our common life is not ornamental or incidental; it is profoundly theological, deeply pastoral, and unmistakably formative for our identity as a Diocese called to fidelity, holiness, and mission.
When this Diocese was established in 1992, Bishop Leslie Hamlett placed it deliberately under the protection of Our Lady. This was more than a symbolic act; it was a declaration that our life, ministry, and witness would be shaped by the mystery of the Incarnation—by that fiat of the Blessed Virgin which opened the world to its Redeemer.
Bishop Hamlett ensured that her image was placed upon the diocesan seal, making her guardianship visible every time the Diocese spoke with authority or acted formally.
To bear the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham is to be shaped by three essential characteristics of her vocation:
Our Lady’s “Be it unto me according to thy word” is not merely a historical utterance; it is the pattern of Christian discipleship. A Diocese under her protection must continually say yes to God—yes to truth, yes to holiness, yes to sacrificial love, yes to the mission entrusted to us.
Walsingham itself is a shrine marked by loss, restoration, and pilgrimage. So too has our Diocese known seasons of struggle and renewal. Our Lady teaches us steadfastness. She remained at the foot of the Cross; so must we stand firm in our commitments to the Catholic faith, the apostolic ministry, and the unity of Christ’s Body.
At the Visitation, Mary carried Christ into the hill country—literally bringing the Incarnate Word into the world. As her diocesan children, we are called to bear Christ with similar joy. Evangelism is not a programme but an overflow of the Gospel dwelling within us.
If Our Lady is truly our Patron, then we must embody the virtues she exemplifies:
- Humility, which opens us to grace
- Obedience, which aligns us with God’s will
- Purity of heart, which makes us transparent to Christ
- Zeal, which drives us into the world with good news
- Compassion, which reflects her maternal care for all her children
Her patronage is not passive or distant. She is a living intercessor, a present help, a model for our life together.
We know we have challenges, to those outside the Church we seem perhaps to be on a back footing. We have had disappointments. It is fitting that the Patron of this Cathedral, should be St Augustine of Canterbury, Apostle to the English. Because is fulfilling his calling he was full of doubts, full of worries, full of apprehension at the enormity of the mission St Gregory the Great had entrusted to him in the re-evangelisation of this land. But as we deliberate, debate, and discern in this Synod, let us be mindful that we do so under the mantle of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Her standing figure on our seal reminds us that the Mother of God is not merely seated in contemplation but active in guiding us. She stands —ready to intercede, ready to protect, ready to lead us more deeply into the mystery of her Son.
Let us go forward with renewed confidence. May we hear the one who said, “Do whatever he tells you,” say the same to us today.
In its business, the Synod;
- Membership of the Council of Advice: Michael Smales (ACC Fellowship) was appointed as the Bishop’s House of Laity nominee for 1 year. Fr Raymond Thompson (Cathedral Parish) was appointed as the Bishop’s House of Clergy nominee for 1 year. Nikki Thompson (Cathedral Parish) was appointed in the House of Laity for a 3 year term, Fr Andrew Scurr (Rochester) was appointed in the House of Clergy for a 3 year term. Existing members are: (From the House of Laity) Yvonne Tall (Pembrokeshire) – 2 years remaining, Roy Hipkiss (Cathedral Parish) – 2 years remaining. And (From the House of Clergy) Fr Jonathan Munn (Cathedral Parish) – 2 years remaining.
- The following officers were appointed: Chancellor – Mr Robert Fetchman, Vice-Chancellor – Prof Antonio Matasso, Diocesan Secretary – Nikki Thompson, Diocesan Treasurer – Michael Smales, Assistant Diocesan Treasurer – Kerry Scott, Endowment Investment Fund Secretary – Michael Smales, Archivist and Historian – Margaret Mead, Safeguarding Officer – Roy Hipkiss, Assistant Safeguarding Officer – Ronald Holmes (subject to confirmation), Risk Assessment Officer – Fr Andrew Scurr, Chairman of the Board of Ministry and Education – Fr Raymond Thompson, Anglican Catholic Fellowship Coordinator – Fr Andrew Scurr, Editor of the ACC UK – Fr Jonathan Munn, Trinitarian Promoter – Bishop Damien Mead, Auditor – Phillip James.
- The Synod received reports submitted by the Bishop, Archdeacon, Diocesan Dean, The Parishes, The Secretary, Treasurer, ACC Fellowship, ACC-DUK The Diocesan Magazine, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Diocesan Risk Assessment Officer and from The Board of Ministry and Education.
- Adopted a budget of £64,000. An increase of 10% on the previous year
- The Synod unanimously Resolved to send Loyal Greetings to HM King Charles III and to Archbishop Haverland’.
