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
Church of England Marriage Measure 2008 the General Synod of the Church of England and passed through Parliament, receiving Royal Assent from the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Queen Elizabeth II on 28 May 2008. Despite concerns that it would lead to "wedding tourism", within two years of its introduction, marriages in the Church of England rose by 4% as a result. The approach of the Measure was mirrored in the Marriage (Wales) Act 2010, bringing the position of the disestablished Church in Wales in line with the Church of England. Church of England Marriage Measure 2008 Church of England Marriage Measure 2008, No.