Jersey church law review 'will secure parishes'

The revision of Jersey's Anglican church laws will ensure the island's traditions and customs are secure for the future, the island's dean says.

The Canons are the rules that govern the Church of England in Jersey.

After 15 years of work, they are now being fully updated for the first time in 400 years.

The Dean, the Very Reverend Bob Key, said the new laws would protect the island's parish system, but give them a modern context.

The dean said: "The Jersey parish system is a very special part of what makes it special. This reaffirms it and gives it a 21st Century context.

"It says parish life really matters in Jersey in 2010, and the church reaffirms its commitment to that part of island life."

The updated laws would also reaffirm that any rector can only be responsible for one of the island's 12 parish, he added.

In England, rectors can serve in more than one parish.