The Church of England is opening free Christian schools. They will be a way for the Church to have a voice in an increasingly secular government, a voice many secular leaders want diminished. England's new initiative to open 500 free schools for underprivileged children has been derided by many critics as a poor decision, but the Church sees it as an opportunity to teach children the Christian faith. The schools are funded by the government but can be set up and run by charities, parents, trusts, businesses, teachers, or religious groups. That is why the Church has set its sights on opening 125 faith schools across the country during the next four years. They currently run 10. ‘This is a moment to be bold and ambitious and offer more than an apologetic for church schools but a vision for education,’ said Bishop Stephen Conway, Chair of the Church’s Board of Education .