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<p>The Church of England provides a wide range of pastoral care through its national
network of 12,600 parishes and 18,000 active ordained clergy assisted by 10,000 licensed
lay ministers. This care is offered to all regardless of Church affiliation or religious
belief. The most effective pastoral care builds a relationship through which a person
can be accompanied through difficult situations - rather than offering a service in
which the person becomes the client.</p><p>Pastoral care at parish level is extended
to women with unwanted pregnancies on the basis that ‘<em>Every possible support,
especially by Church members, needs to be given to those who are pregnant in difficult
circumstances and care, support and compassion must be shown to all whether or not
they continue with their pregnancy.</em>’ (General Synod July 2017: written answer
was given by the Chair of Mission and Public Affairs Council in response to a question
on the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act).</p>
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