About CoR
Our Mission
The Conference of Religious seeks to be a dynamic and proactive presence of Church, particularly with those on the margins of society.
It aims to unite its membership in collaborative initiatives translating gospel vision into reality, and to offer support to those in positions of leadership.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Conference of Religious in England & Wales is to represent the leaders of religious life. This representation happens in two main ways:
1. Supporting our Leaders
We encourage collaboration among leaders on major issues facing religious today and promote programmes for future formation.
2. Speaking to Society
We aim to address current issues from a Catholic perspective, acting as a prophetic voice on behalf of religious.
Our Members
The Conference of Religious in England and Wales exists for the benefit of all religious in these countries. Its formal membership however, is limited to the Major Superiors of each institute or in the case of his/her temporary absence, to an officially appointed delegate. Superiors General resident in England or Wales are also members by right. Linked to the Conference there are Associations of Religious which provide for and offer membership to religious in different stages of formation and in their apostolic work.
Associate Members
Since the 1992 Annual General Meeting the superiors of Anglican Communities enjoy Associate Membership of the Conference. Since the 2000 Annual General Meeting Associate membership is offered to all Contemplative Superiors in England and Wales.
The requirements of members of the Conference are met by the management of The Executive and its office, the Secretariat.
Visit the Members page.
Our Networks
Conference of Religious is part of the following networks:
Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and its Agencies
National and International Bodies
UCESM
UISG
AMRI
CoRS
Other Associations of Religious
Union of Monastic Superiors
Contemplatives
Our History
The Conference of Religious was established in 1959. It was originally known as the Council of Major Religious Superiors and there were two 'sections', the men's section and the women's section. In 1979 the first joint AGM took place in Swanwick in Derbyshire and since then has been one Conference.
The Secretariat was originally a house in Clapham. Fr Volery MSFS was the first Secretary.
By 1977 the membership had grown considerably so the Secretariat moved to London SW1 with joint secretaries Fr Pius OFM Cap and Sr Gertrude Andrew DC.
The Secretariat moved again in 1979 to London W1 with an increase in staffing to cope with the development which had taken place during the period, for example the two sections joining together to form one Conference and the numerous contacts which had been established.
The Secretariat moved to premises at the Missionary Institute of London in Mill Hill 2001, and spent six happy years there. Due to the closure of the MIL in 2007 the staff relocated to a house in Ealing in the grounds of the Abbey. In February 2020 the Secretariat moved to St Philomena’s Convent in Euston.
The Secretariat is responsible for the dissemination of information regarding matters related to or relevant to religious life in the 21st Century, through newsletters, workshops, residential and day meetings and the provision of resource materials.
The Secretariat deals with the regular communication to membership and the organisation of the conferences and other meetings. It also has the responsibility to pass on information from Rome and the Bishops' Conference.
The membership of the Conference of Religious comprises the Leaders of the Catholic Religious Orders together with Associate members i.e., Anglican Religious Orders and Secular Institutes.
There are Regional Meetings organised and hosted by the members. The topics of these meetings are linked with the Annual General Meetings.
Our Logo
To find out what's behind Conference of Religious logo, see the Logo page.