ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the function of religious institutions like the established and quasi-established Churches process and its continuing evolutionary impact. The appropriateness of a religious constitution for a contemporary Britain must depend upon how it is actually operating for the citizens of the state. The chapter examines the situation across the portion of the United Kingdom covered by England, Wales and Scotland. The Church of England had a firm place within this constitutional structure, but its role could be seen to have altered dramatically from previous centuries. The eighteenth-century Church of England, and particularly its clergy, was lampooned at times for being lazy, self-serving and spiritually lax. However, the process of religious reform in England rolled on, and the 'Church of England' was imposed on Welsh territory. According to the classical ecclesiastical law analysis of Church/state relations, there are three models which may be employed to assess the arrangements: national Church, separatist, and hybrid/cooperationist.
