TRURO Cathedral has secured ‘Registered Charity Status’, and will move forward under the joint guidance of the Church Commissioners and the Charity Commission, marking a new chapter in its story. 

Chief operating officer Sean O’Neill explained how the change in status would enable the cathedral to benefit from a wider and deeper level of governance with more defined support from boards and committees - with additional members for both to be recruited over the coming months — as well as simpler arrangements with banks and greater access to trusts, foundations, and funders.

“The change has been a long time coming, a journey that was in discussion for all cathedrals five years ago when I joined the team,” he added. “Reaching this important milestone allows us to focus on continuing to deliver public benefit.”

“The cathedral has always been governed in a similar way to charities. We’re looking forward to the good work and public benefit we’ve been doing for years now being in the public domain.”

Dean Simon Robinson reassured the congregation and visitors that cathedral operations and services would be unaffected by the registration.

“At our core, Truro Cathedral is a place of worship, built to the glory of God and committed to reaching out to the whole community,” he said. “Being a registered charity means we are tasked with ensuring our life of worship, service and outreach is seen through the lens of being a charity, focused on what we bring of benefit to the public. This increases the necessity for good governance and affords greater scrutiny in all that we do.

“Public accountability is a good thing. It is also inherently Christian as we seek to ‘serve not to be served’.”

Truro Cathedral’s charity number is 1207821. It is run as an independent, self-funded entity and does not receive regular government or Church of England support, relying on events income and public donations to cover the £1.1-million per year it costs to run and maintain Cornwall’s only cathedral. To find out how to donate, visit www.trurocathedral.org.uk