Culture of England Catholic Church does not accept) and has been a distinct Anglican church since the settlement under Elizabeth I of England (with some disruption during the 17th-century Commonwealth of England period). The British Monarch is formally Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Its spiritual leader is the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is regarded by convention as the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. In practice the Church of England is governed by the General Synod of the Church of England, under the authority of Parliament. The Church of England's mission to spread the Gospel has seen the establishment of many
Monarchy of New Zealand of the Faith", neither the Queen nor the governor-general has any religious role in New Zealand; there has never been an established church in the country. This is one of the key differences from the Queen's role in England, where she is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The sovereign of New Zealand also serves as monarch to Cook Islands and Niue, territories in free association with New Zealand within the larger Realm of New Zealand. The New Zealand monarchy, however, is unitary throughout all jurisdictions in the country, with the headship of state being a part of all