6434273false2023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/2023-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:CompanySecretary12023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director12023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director22023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director32023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:RegisteredCharity2023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/pt:ToolsEquipment2023-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director42023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/pt:ToolsEquipment2024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:RegisteredOffice2023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director52023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director62023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director72023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:AuditExemptWithAccountantsReport2023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director82023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:Director92023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/2023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:FRS1022023-10-012024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/2024-09-30http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/cd:FullAccounts2023-10-012024-09-30iso4217:GBPxbrli:sharesxbrli:pure
Registered number: 6434273
Charity number: 1122906

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30/09/2024

Prepared By:
David Stott Accountancy Services
59 Medhurst Crescent
Gravesend
Kent
DA12 4HJ

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30/09/2024
TRUSTEES
H F CleughRev Doc
A Davey
C M MethuenResigned 11th February 2024
C Bell
Mr M ParkesChair
A S RaeAppointed 11th February 2024
Ms S PattersonAppointed 11th Febraury 2024
Rev D Legg
Rev J McNeaney
SECRETARY
H F Cleugh
REGISTERED OFFICE
1 The Sanctuary
Westminster
London
SW1P 3JT
COMPANY NUMBER
6434273
CHARITY NUMBER
1122906
ACCOUNTANTS
David Stott Accountancy Services
59 Medhurst Crescent
Gravesend
Kent
DA12 4HJ

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30/09/2024
CONTENTS
Page
Report of the Trustees3
Independent Examiner's Statement7
Accountant's Report-
Statement of Financial Activities9
Balance Sheet10
Notes to the Accounts11 to 16
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities15

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024
TRUSTEES REPORT
The trustees present their report and accounts for theyearended30/09/2024
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
The principal activity of the charity in theyearunder review was
As a charity, the Company is a charitable educational foundation, the objects of which are:
1. the advancement of education in the historical development of the Church of England and the Churches of the wider Anglican Communion;
2. the advancement of education in the doctrines of the Church of England and the Churches of the wider Anglican Communion, as held by those professing to stand within the Catholic tradition;
3. the advancement of religion in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England and the churches of the wider Anglican Communion. In pursuit of these objectives the Charity organises or supports conferences, symposia, seminars, and retreats; it publishes and supports the publication of books, tracts, journals and newsletters; it supports local groups meeting for study, discussion, worship and prayer;
and it co-operates with groups with similar aims. Examples of Affirming Catholicism's activities over the year in support of these aims can be found below under the Review of Activities
.
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
BACKGROUND
Affirming Catholicism was formerly an unincorporated charity whose governing document was the charitable trust deed dated 18 December 1991 (charity number 1007291). A uniting direction under section 95(5) of the Charities Act 1993 was obtained on 29 July 2008, to unite the incorporated charity with this trust deed for registration and accounting purposes. The Charity is now governed by the
Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 21 November 2007, and registered by the Charity Commission in the central register of charities under 1122906. The Charity was incorporated on 22 November 2007 and is a company under limited guarantee (company number 6434273).
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Company's charitable activities are managed by the Directors of the Company, each of whom has executive responsibility for the development and execution of a different strand of activities, all of which are controlled and approved by the Board. Day to day management of administrative activities is delegated, but only on terms approved by the Board, to the Chairman, Company Secretary, Hon Treasurer and Administrator.

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024
TRUSTEES REPORT
All expenditure is made at the discretion of the Directors alone and is considered at their periodic Board meetings. In addition to the work done by the Company's paid parttime (one day a week) employee, the charitable work is dependent on the services of the unpaid executive and co-opted Directors and a limited number of ad hoc volunteers from among the Affirming Catholicism supporters' network, and by the limited but more specialist services we need to subcontract (e.g., design, printing, web site management). The activities of the Board are governed by Corporate Governance and Controls approved by the Directors.
The Directors are confident that the charitable work, under the continuing aegis of the charity's proven structure, continues to be carried out effectively and in accordance with its aims, and that at present there are sufficient funds available for these purposes.
TRUSTEES AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
These were
Mr Alan Davey Treasurer
Mr M. Perrett Administrator
Correspondence Address
St Peters Vicarage
6 Elmwood Road
Whitley Bay
NE25 8EX
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
Company and Charity Law requires the Directors as Trustees of the Charity to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its financial activities for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to: "Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; "Make judgements and
estimates that are prudent and reasonable; "State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2006, the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements; "Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity, and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024
TRUSTEES REPORT
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. To assist in this, they have established rules which govern the allocation of responsibilities and reporting lines within the Charity, and procedures and controls for the management of the Company and of its income and expenditure. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
1. Affirming Catholicism ran a series of online events known as the Agora during the year 2023-24. These are consultation meetings designed to secure a range of opinions from the Progressive Catholic wing of the Church of England, broadly defined, and to resource Affirming Catholics in Synod (ACiS).
The following Agoras took place:
3 November 2023: Feedback and discussion on a meeting board members and ACiS representatives had attended with the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace on concerns relating to the lack of progress in implementing Living in Love and Faith agreed at General Synod.
11 February 2024: Consideration of the Living in Love and Faith process and the related proposals with discussion which fed into the Affirming Catholicism briefing paper for the February General Synod. Followed by the AGM, which had been delayed by the secretary's incapacity. At that meeting,
Susan Patterson and Bill Rea were appointed to the board. Hannah Cleugh resigned having served three terms and was coopted to the board to act as Secretary. Charlotte Methuen was co-opted to continue to produce Briefing Papers for July's General Synod. Matthew Parkes was elected as Chaiman.
23 June 2024: Discussion of July's General Synod Agenda and development of briefing papers on the same.
2. Affirming Catholicism continued its Book Fund for ordinands, readers-in-training and curates undertaking further theological study. £1098 was distributed in book grants
3. A survey was issued on 7 November 2023 to find out more about our supporters' views on the blessing of same-sex relationships and on same-sex marriage to bolster our campaign messaging on these matters.
3. The Chair and members of the board were invited to participate in further stakeholder meetings in the Living in Love and Faith process and have contributed views informed by discussions at the Agoras.
4. On 29 July 2024 the Board issued a statement in relation to a commissioning service which had been held at St Helen's Bishopsgate, highlighting its concerns at the threat to unity this might pose for the Church of England, the sacramental implications and the questions it raises over Church discipline. This was picked up by the Church Times and ran as the headline story the next day. The Chair subsequently wrote to both Archbishops on behalf of the board, highlighting our concerns.

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024
TRUSTEES REPORT
PUBLIC BENEFIT
In setting out the aims and objectives of Affirming Catholicism the Directors have considered the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit (and supplementary guidance) for the advancement of religion. Although Affirming Catholicism has been primarily established by Anglicans, and has mostly been concerned with issues within the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, the very nature of the organisation, and the principles upon which it has been based, entail inclusivity and
openness in in Affirming Catholicism's activities. The teachings of the Anglicanism which we profess compel us to engage constructively with the world and with those of other faiths or none. In consequence, Affirming Catholicism's consultations and publications are available to all interested in the development of a liberal and inclusive view of the world and its people, and Affirming Catholicism's work of reflection on the agenda of General Synod, deals with many issues which are of serious concern to the wider community.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
In the year to 30 September 2024, Affirming Catholicism achieved its aims primarily by presenting well-resourced briefing papers to the General Synod of the Church of England in February and July 2024.These were distributed to members of Affirming Catholics in Synod, a group numbering approximately seventy members. Each Agora , provided a good breadth of discussion and input for the briefing papers. The book grants resource the educational objectives of Affirming Catholicism. The Affirming Catholicism mailing list was declined during this period from 1200 to around 1000 email addresses, with emailed newsletters normally being opened by between 500 and 600 recipients.
The report was prepared in accordance with the special provisions within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on19/02/2025
Mr M Parkes
Trustee

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OFAFFIRMING CATHOLICISM (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
I report on the accounts of the company for theyearended30/09/2024.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
The charity's gross income did not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member ofFMAAT.Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to an audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, ollow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS STATEMENT
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
FOR THEYEARENDED30/09/2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
David Stott Accountancy Services
...................................................
Gravesend
Date:

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended30/09/2024
20242023
Unrestricted fundsRestricted fundsTotalTotal
££££
Income
Income from generated funds
Income from Investments3,046-3,0462,023
Income from charitable activities10,892-10,8929,943
Total Income and endowments13,938-13,93811,966
Expenses
Costs of generating funds
Expenditure on Charitable activities11,2041,09912,30312,380
Total Expenses11,2041,09912,30312,380
Net gains on investments
Net Income2,734(1,099)1,635(414)
Transfers between funds(82)82--
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assests
Net movement in funds:
Net income for the year2,652(1,017)1,635(414)
Total funds brought forward76,8791,01777,89678,310
Net funds carried forward79,531-79,53177,896
This statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET AT 30/09/2024
20242023
Notes££
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets3104185
Investments461,35058,304
61,45458,489
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors (amounts falling due within one year)54,0651,770
Cash at bank and in hand15,92320,007
19,98821,777
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year61,9112,370
NET CURRENT ASSETS18,07719,407
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES79,53177,896
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Unrestricted funds8
General fund79,53176,879
Restricted funds9-1,017
79,53177,896
For the year ending 30/09/2024 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Approved by the board of trustees on 19/02/2025 and signed on their behalf by
.............................
Mr M Parkes
Trustee
.............................
H F Cleugh
Secretary

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30/09/2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1a. Basis Of Accounting
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with FRS102 - The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
1b. Incoming Resources
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
1c. Resources Expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
1d. Allocation And Apportionment Of Costs
All costs relate to the single activity of the charitable company and are recognised accordingly.
1e. Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Designated funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for the specific future purposes or projects.
1f. Depreciation
Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives.
Equipmentstraight line 20%

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

1g. Turnover
Turnover represents the invoiced value of goods and services supplied by the company, net of value added tax and trade discounts.
1h. Investments
Fixed asset investments are shown at cost less amounts written off.
Provisions are made for permanent fluctuations in value.
2. EMPLOYEES
20242023
No.No.
Average number of employees11
3. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
EquipmentTotal
££
Cost
At 01/10/2023443443
At 30/09/2024443443
Depreciation
At 01/10/2023258258
For the year8181
At 30/09/2024339339
Net Book Amounts
At 30/09/2024104104
At 30/09/2023185185

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

4. FINANCIAL ASSETS
Other
InvestmentsTotal
££
Cost
At 01/10/202358,30458,304
Additions3,0463,046
At 30/09/202461,35061,350
Amortisation
Net Book Amounts
At 30/09/202461,35061,350
At 30/09/202358,30458,304
5. DEBTORS 20242023
££
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors3,6581,698
Other debtors40772
4,0651,770
6. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
20242023
££
Other creditors1,9112,370
1,9112,370

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

7. LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
The company is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. Each member gives a guarantee to contribute a sum not exceeding £10.00, to the company should it be wound up. At 30/09/2024 there were 9 members.
8. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Brought forwardIncoming resourcesOutgoing resourcesTransfersCarried forward
£££££
General fund76,87913,938(11,204)(82)79,531
76,87913,938(11,204)(82)79,531
General Funds
Gift Aid
9. RESTRICTED FUNDS
Brought forwardIncoming resourcesOutgoing resourcesTransfersCarried forward
£££££
Book Fund1,017-(1,099)82-
1,017-(1,099)82-
Book Fund
Book Grants

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

Incoming Resources
for the year ended30/09/2024
20242023
££
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generated funds
Investment income
Investment Income Interest3,0462,023
3,0462,023
3,0462,023
Charitable Activity
From Charitable Activities Donations and Gift Aid10,8929,943
10,8929,943
10,8929,943
13,93811,966

Affirming Catholicism (Limited by Guarantee)

Expenses
for the year ended30/09/2024
20242023
££
Expenses
Costs of generating funds
Charitable Activities
Resources Expended Charitable Activities1,0991,050
Rent-180
Salaries7,2007,200
Computer674488
Accountancy fees9501,000
Insurance1,1661,091
Stationery & office supplies-87
Telephone 59202
Bank charges1,047822
Sundry expenses27179
Depreciation of equipment8181
12,30312,380
12,30312,380