The Channel Islands

The Constitutional Position (Ecclesiastical)
The Channel Islands were previously part of the Diocese of Coutances. Following an unsuccessful attempt to transfer the Islands to the Diocese of Salisbury, Pope Alexander VI transferred them to Winchester by a Bull dated 20th January 1499/1500. However, the Bishops of Coutances continued to exercise de facto jurisdiction and it was not until an Order in Council of 11th March 1569 that the Channel Islands were finally placed under the Episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester. That Order in Council remains the foundation on which ecclesiastical jurisdiction is exercised in the Channel Islands.

The Islands are "annexed to" Winchester. This means that they are not within, or part of, the Diocese of Winchester but the Bishop has ordinary jurisdiction in the Islands in ecclesiastical causes. In the Deanery of Guernsey he is also empowered to deal with testamentary affairs in connection with wills of personality. Ecclesiastical causes must be determined in the Islands. The 1569 Order in Council expressly provides that the Islands' inhabitants cannot be compelled to travel to England for that purpose.

A consequence of being annexed was that the Islands had no right to be represented in the Diocesan Conference or the Church Assembly. This was rectified by the Channel Islands (Representation) Measure of 1931 which has been amended by the Synodical Government (Channel Islands) Order of 1970. The effect of the Measure, as amended, is that the Channel Islands are now represented in both General Synod and Diocesan Synod.

The Constitutional Position (civil)
Since 1204 the Channel Islands have been dependencies of the British Crown. However, at no time has the evolution of the Islands' constitution involved amalgamation with, or subjection to, the government of the United Kingdom.

The Islands' link with the United Kingdom is through the Sovereign as latter day successor of the Dukes of Normandy. Under the charters of successive sovereigns the Islands have secured their own legal jurisdiction and freedom from process of English courts and other important privileges. This remains the essence of the relationship between the Islands and the Crown to the present day.

The Sovereign in Council exercises supreme legislative and judicial powers in the Channel Islands. The Lieutenant-Governors of Jersey and Guernsey are Her Majesty's personal representatives and the official channel of communication between the Crown and the United Kingdom authorities and the separate insular authorities. The Channel Islands are divided into two Bailiwicks and Deaneries. The Bailiwick/Deanery boundaries are coterminous.

The Bailiwick/Deanery of Jersey comprises the Island of Jersey. The Bailiwick/Deanery of Guernsey comprises the Islands of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. Alderney and Sark both have a large measure of independence within the Bailiwick of Guernsey and have legislative assemblies of their own.

The Island Deans
The office of Dean is a Crown appointment and the Deaneries of Guernsey and Jersey are Royal Peculiars. The earliest record of the appointment of a Dean [of Guernsey] dates from 1295. The Bishop, both by custom and in accordance with the Canons of the Church of England in Jersey, appoints the Deans as his 'Commissaries and Commissaries-General'.

As 'Commissaries' (acting in a surrogate role for the Bishop) the Deans conduct all institutions to benefices and preside over the Ecclesiastical Court. In Guernsey the Ecclesiastical Court exercises probate jurisdiction and is staffed by a professional registrar. The Courts in both Deaneries exercise faculty jurisdiction, admit Churchwardens, swear Notaries Public, grant sequestration orders in respect of vacant benefices, issue marriage licences and grant permission for exhumations. The Dean is the sole judge of the Court but he may call upon the Rectors to sit with and advise him.

In consultation with the Lieutenant-Governor and the Bishop he seeks candidates for appointments to vacant livings in his Deanery.

In each Deanery the Dean also acts as Rural Dean, presiding over the Chapter, the Deanery Synod and its principal committees. He has Archidiaconal functions with the powers of visitation and may pronounce the sentences of lesser and greater excommunication. The Deans are members of the Southern Group of Archdeacons.

The Deans take a significant part in the civil affairs of the Islands. By way of example, the Dean of Jersey is an ex-officio member of the States Assembly (the Island's parliament) and the Dean of Guernsey is Chairman of the Elizabeth College Board of Directors.

The Deans are acknowledged as the Christian leaders in their respective Deaneries and it is to them that the Islands' extensive media will turn for comment on church-related and/or moral issues.

The Diocese's Suffragan Bishops and Archdeacons have no jurisdiction in the Channel Islands although the Suffragans may, from time to time, carry out pastoral functions in the Islands at the invitation of the Dean and the behest of the Diocesan Bishop.

Canon Law
The States Assembly in Jersey has recently approved revised Jersey Canons which, subject to the approval of Her Majesty in Council will have effect in that Island replacing the existing Jersey Canons which date back to 1623.

Insofar as Guernsey is concerned, the Canons of the Church of England have never been formally applied. It is the practice to follow the English Canons subject to local tradition and custom. Responsibility for determining what is local tradition and custom rests with the Dean.

Demographics

Deanery of Jersey
Population: 100,000
Area: 45 square miles
Ecclesiastical Parishes: 18
Stipendiary Clergy: 15
Chaplains Hospital / Prison: 2
House for Duty: 3
Self-Supporting Ministers: 7
Readers: 22

Deanery of Guernsey
Population: Guernsey, 62,200; Alderney, 2,200; Sark, 600; Total: 65,000
Area: Guernsey, 25; Alderney, 3; Sark, 2; Total: 30 square miles
Ecclesiastical Parishes: 16
Stipendiary Clergy: 11
House for Duty: 1
Self-Supporting Ministers: 6
Readers: 19

The dominant economic sector in both Guernsey and Jersey is international finance. Other sectors include tourism, agriculture and light industry. There is relatively little unemployment (Guernsey currently 1.6%).

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