Internet Access and Telephone Lines

During the Coronavirus lockdown many clergy have been live-streaming services from their homes, and as churches begin to open up again with the gradual easing of the lockdown, clergy will be able to live stream services from inside church buildings.

During May 2020 a number of requests have been received by the Church Buildings and Pastoral Department for consent to lay telephone cables through churchyards. 

Works of this nature would normally require Faculty consent. 

However, given the clear missional and pastoral benefits to churches being able to live stream in this way, the Diocesan Chancellor has responded with a practice direction.

The practice directions lays out the circumstances in which it will no longer be required to seek Faculty consent for a telephone line, provided a short process is followed, including consultation with the Diocesan Advisory Committee. 

The docuemnt linked below includes details of the practice direction, and the application form:

• Practice Direction - Telephone Lines