Church publishes generosity poll

No diocese hit the churches donation target

Church of England members in Nottinghamshire are the most generous when the collection plate comes round.

Churchgoers in the diocese of Southwell, which covers the whole of Nottinghamshire and a few parishes in South Yorkshire, gave an average of 4.1% of their income in 2001.

They donated an average of £8.56 a week in the collection plate, according to a league table issued by the Church of England.

Birmingham diocese was the second most generous, giving an average of 4% of annual income or £8.02 a week.

The worst givers as a percentage of earnings were in the Lincoln diocese where church members only gave 2.1% of their annual income, or £4.25 a week.

The biggest weekly sum given to the collection plate was in the London diocese, where church members gave an average of £11.10 - but at 3.4% of income they were only the fifth most generous.

This will enable the real work of mission and meeting the needs across our community to develop even more

Bishop of Southwell, the Rt Rev George Cassidy

The league table was compiled by the financial secretaries to the Archbishops Council and the Church Commissioners.

A spokesman for the Church of England said the giving included money in the traditional collection plate and more modern forms of donating such as direct debits.

He said: "The General Synod aspiration is for 5% of net personal income on average. Nobody has got there yet but 4% to 4.1% is clearly at the top of the range."

The Bishop of Southwell, the Rt Rev George Cassidy, said: "It is good news again for Southwell. Our church members have given sacrificially and this will enable the real work of mission and meeting the needs across our community to develop even more."