One of the features of the current Anglican shenanigans is that obfuscation rules the day. The web simply spreads that obfuscation, and places self-starter pressure groups of every shade on a par with long established organisations. Most of these groups seem short on explaining their governance, or whether they are simply self-selecting.
I thought I might get somewhere with at least one of them when I saw that Anglican Mainstream (according to their FAQ page) was a registered charity in the UK. It says so: No 290112. So there ought, I thought, to be some official information available. Silly me. According to the Charity Commission, when I plugged this number into their search, this is registered charity number of The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS), which has as its charitable objects “To advance education, training and research for the public benefit in Christian mission, theology and related areas.”
The last filed set of accounts of OCMS makes no mention of Anglican Mainstream that I could see as a particular activity of the organisation. So I am confused. What is the legal status of one organisation operating under the charity number, and (presumably therefore) the charitable status of another? What exactly is going on here?
2 responses so far ↓
1 Alan Wilson // Dec 29, 2007 at 9:50 pm
The register of charity’s gives this particular charity the Number 111739, not 290112.
(http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?remchar=true&chyno=1111739) Its objects are given as
THE ADVANCEMENT OF RELIGION THROUGH THE PROMOTION, TEACHING, MAINTENANCE AND PRACTICE OF THE SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS ON WHICH THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IS FOUNDED.
By area of benefit (”Undefined”) it simply means geographical area.
Like OCNS, this charity is the creation of Canon Christopher Sugden. I would still think that for one charity to give another charity’s number on its publicity would be a mistake, at the least.
Don’t know whether this lifts much confusion, but there you are!
2 doug // Dec 29, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Thanks. I guess when they started the website they used one number, and then registered themselves (the dates on the FAQ page are 2003-2005). I shall assume this is an unfortunate mistake: and it does alleviate my confusion, but they ought to correct this, I think.
I couldn’t resist a wry smile at the description of the “who” [is the charity's benefit for] “General public/Mankind”
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