Confirmations climb thanks to baking and sport

CONFIRMATIONS are often seen as a rite of passage out of the Church of England for unwilling teenagers soon to become more interested in socialising and sport.

But one diocese is experiencing an uptake in interest after it introduced rock climbing, film sessions and baking bread into its classes which more often have focused on bible study.

The Rt Rev Dr Edward Condry, Bishop of Ramsbury, has been spearheading a project to increase the number of confirmations.

As well as young people, he has seen older members of the congregation ask to be confirmed, with one member taking part after coming to the church for 50 years.

The ceremonies, which traditionally involve children aged 11 to 13, have been in decline for years.

Confirmations in the Church of England fell from 29,800 in 2005 to 16,700 in 2015. By contrast, in the same year 44,000 couples were married in the Church and 120,000 adults and children were baptised. In 2014, the Diocese of Salisbury, where Dr Condry is the bishop, was faced with a crisis after years of decline.

But since the start of the project, numbers have stabilised. Some 551 were confirmed during 2016, with 546 taking place the year before. And 2017 looks set to be an even better year. “Confir- mation was once seen as a graduation ceremony, but now it’s seen as a public affirmation and a step on a pilgrimage” said the bishop. He added: “In life, there are not enough rituals. This is something positive that the church can offer.”

One groundswell of growth has been among older people. One member in her 90s, who grew up in India, was confirmed by Dr Condry in her care home.