The Church of England’s House of Bishops met this week. The formal agenda for the meeting is available online, although the papers do not appear to be. Following the meeting the following press release was published.
House of Bishops meeting May 2025
22/05/2025
The House of Bishops met in person from 20th to 22nd May in York.
The House spent time considering what would help the flourishing of women, both lay and ordained, in the Church of England.
First, the House considered provision for ordained women in the context of the settlement on the ordination of women to all three orders. A proposal for each diocese to have at least one diocesan advisor on women’s ministry was approved, with further work to be undertaken on the associated guidelines to ensure consistency of approach in each diocese.
Secondly, the House discussed commissioning a significant piece of work to assess ongoing disparities and discrimination based on gender in the Church of England, to identify how women and men may work better together at local and national levels and offer a vision for a diverse church that works together for the flourishing of all. The overall aim of the work is to enable the inclusion and positive treatment of women in the Church, rather than mirroring negative elements of wider culture, to offer Gospel hope and transformation. Importantly, it was noted that the work does not in any way aim to undermine the current settlement on the ordination of women to all three orders, but rather to reflect on its implementation and impact.
The House was briefed on the ongoing work of the Triennium Funding Working Group, including the proposals from Archbishops’ Council on significant changes to pensions which are part of a wider range of measures on clergy wellbeing currently under development.
The House discussed the current situation in Gaza, with a number of Bishops relating their personal experience of visits to the region. The House agreed a joint statement in which they condemned the Government of Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, calling it “an atrocity that defies our common humanity”.
The House received an update from Living in Love and Faith Programme Board and the Faith and Order Commission Episcopal Reference Group. The Bishops then spent time in groups discussing different areas of the current LLF proposals (as outlined in a recent LLF update to provide feedback to the LLF Programme Board. A further iteration of these proposals will be brought before the House in the autumn. This will also take into account the wider feedback gained from an informal consultation of diocesan synod members that is currently underway.
The House heard insights from research aligned to the Vision and Strategy, celebrating experiences and discussing evidence of growth and revitalisation, and what can be learnt. Topics included the recent findings regarding the openness of Gen Z to faith, along with other local case studies and examples.
55 CommentsThe Church of England issued the following press release this morning. The terms of reference of the Group are here; they include names of the members.
Task and Finish Group meets to take forward response to Makin Report recommendations
22/05/2025
The Church of England has published the Terms of Reference for a Task and Finish Group established to oversee the Church’s response to the recommendations of the Independent Lessons Learned Review concerning John Smyth QC (the Makin Report).
The group includes survivors of Church-related abuse as full members, ensuring that lived experience, together with safeguarding expertise, is central to its work. (more…)
11 CommentsWe last reported on the Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney in October 2024 here and here. There have been more developments reported this week.
Francis Martin Church Times Concerns about Bishop Anne Dyer disciplinary case continue
Rachel Huston Premier Scottish Episcopal Church under fire for reinstating suspended bishop
Marc Horne The Times Anglican church leader urged to resign as bullying scandal drags on
[behind a paywall]
Earlier this month we noted the reports on the visitation of Bangor Cathedral.
A supplementary statement was added to the original Church in Wales press release on Tuesday of this week (13 May); this is copied below the fold. Following the release of the statement these news reports have appeared.
Also of relevance are these reports from last week.
The Church of England has today announced the membership of the Canterbury CNC, apart from the three representatives from the diocese whose names are not yet available for the reasons given in my previous article. The text of the press release is copied below.
Membership of Canterbury CNC announced
13/05/2025
The Canterbury CNC is made up of a diverse group of members, including representatives from the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and members appointed by the Crown.
The Central Members and Anglican Communion representatives of the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) have been announced.
The Crown Nominations Commission for the Archbishop of Canterbury is larger than that for other diocesan bishops, with 17 voting members in a wider Commission made up of 20 members.
In 2022, General Synod approved changes to the CNC’s Standing Orders that increased the number of representatives from the Anglican Communion from one to five for the CNC of the See of Canterbury. They are nominated by the Anglican Communion, one from each of the five regions and include primates, clergy and lay people.
Voting members
Non-voting members
Following a public consultation that saw thousands of people share their views on the qualities needed in the next Archbishop of Canterbury, the Commission will convene for its first meeting later this month, followed by at least two further meetings – one in July and another in September. Through these, the Commission will agree the ‘Role Profile’ and ‘Person Specification’ for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, discern the longlist, shortlist and interview candidates.
Under the Standing Orders of the General Synod, a nomination cannot be made to The Crown unless it has received the support of at least two-thirds of the total number of the voting members of the Commission in a secret ballot.
The Chair of the Canterbury CNC, Lord (Jonathan) Evans said: “Helping to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury is both a great responsibility and a privilege. The Crown Nominations Commission understands the weight of this important decision and we pray for God’s hand on the process.
“I thank those who have taken part in the public consultation across the country and the Anglican Communion, helping us to establish the gifts, skills and qualities required in the next Archbishop. Do please keep the CNC process in your prayers as we seek to discern who God is calling to this important ministry.”
62 CommentsThe Diocese of Canterbury has issued a statement, copied below, to say that the election of its 2022-2024 Vacancy in See Committee is to be re-run; details are in the statement. This committee is the one involved in the selection of the next Archbishop of Canterbury; in particular it elects three of its members to sit on the Crown Nominations Commission. The statement was issued quietly on 7 May and has only just come to my attention.
Regular readers will recall the criticisms of the procedures in Canterbury made by Andrew Goddard here and here.
Vacancy in See Committee
A Vacancy in See Committee is required to be in existence at all times in every Diocese. The task of the Committee, should the need arise, is to assist in the procedure of appointing a new Archbishop of Canterbury or Bishop of Dover. The Committee only meets when there is a vacancy in the See. The Committee advises the Crown Nominations Commission of the General Synod on the needs of the Diocese.
The Vacancy in See Committee will elect up to three members, of which at least two will be Laity, to serve on the Crown Nominations Commission which holds responsibility for selecting the Archbishop and six members, of which at least three must be Laity, when selecting the Bishop of Dover.
Who is on the Committee?
Ex-officio members are the Archbishop (if appropriate)the Bishop of Dover (if appropriate), the Provincial Episcopal Visitors, two Archdeacons, the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, General Synod Representatives, the Diocesan Synod Lay Chair and the Diocesan Synod Clergy Chair.
In addition to the Ex-officio members the Committee is made up of 18 elected positions, 6 clergy and 12 laity. There is equal representation from each Archdeaconry in so far as this is possible.
Elections to the Vacancy in See Committee 2022-2024
The elected members of the Committee for the 2022-2024 triennium are the elected members responsible for the selection of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, because Justin Welby announced his decision to resign as Archbishop in 2024. Following legal advice and a formal direction from the Archbishop of York, a new election was held in early 2025 to ensure the 2022-2024 VISC had elected representatives drawn from a wider pool than just our diocesan synod members.
However, it became clear Rule 75 of the Church Representation Rules was not correctly applied to the election. This Rule requires that if the number of candidates of a particular category is less than or equal to the minimum number required by that category, then those candidates should be declared automatically elected and their names should not be included on the voting paper.
The Canterbury Archbishop’s Council sought a direction from the Archbishop of York requiring fresh elections to be held, which the diocese has been advised was signed on 7 May.
The previous list of nominations will stand for the re run election and new nominations will not be sought.
This page will be updated with decisions and dates as they are known.
4 CommentsPress release from the Prime Minister’s Office. There is more on the Carlisle diocesan website.
Appointment of Bishop of Carlisle: 9 May 2025
The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Robert Saner-Haigh, for election as Bishop of Carlisle
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 9 May 2025
The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Robert Saner-Haigh, Suffragan Bishop of Penrith in the Diocese of Carlisle, for election as Bishop of Carlisle, in succession to The Right Reverend James William Scobie Newcome, following his retirement.
Background
Rob was educated at Birmingham University and trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his title at St. Lawrence, Appleby in the Diocese of Carlisle, and was ordained Priest in 2006. He was appointed Diocesan Initial Ministerial Education Officer in 2007 and Diocesan Director of Ordinands in 2008. Alongside both of these roles he served as Bishop’s Chaplain and Assistant Priest at St. Michael’s, Dalston, with Cumdivock, Raughton Head and Wreay. In 2010, he was appointed Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Kendal and, from 2020, served as Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Newcastle and Residentiary Canon of Newcastle Cathedral.
In 2022, Rob took up his current role as Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, in the Diocese of Carlisle and, since 2023, he has served as Acting Bishop of Carlisle.
40 CommentsWe reported in March that the Archbishop of Wales had ordered a visitation of Bangor Cathedral. This has now been completed and reports issued. There is a press release from the Church in Wales, which is copied below, with links to the reports at the end. There is also this news item by Madeleine Davies in the Church Times: Visitation identifies ‘weak financial controls’ and ‘inappropriate behaviours’ at Bangor Cathedral.
Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report
Provincial news Posted: 3 May 2025
In October 2024, in response to concerns which had been brought to his attention, the Archbishop of Wales, The Most Revd Andrew John, commissioned a visitation of Bangor Cathedral and a review by Thirtyone:eight, an external body that specialises in safeguarding advice in church settings.
The reporting process is now complete and the following summary reports have now been released publicly, and can be accessed below.
We are grateful to all who contributed to this careful and prayerful process. The reports give details of the next steps which will now be taken.
65 CommentsThe Bishop of Brixworth, the Right Reverend John Holbrook, has announced that he will retire on 30 September 2025. Details are on the Peterborough diocesan website.
50 CommentsChurch of England press release
Safeguarding Practice Review commissioned: David Tudor
01/04/2025
A Safeguarding Practice Review (SPR) has been jointly commissioned by the National Safeguarding Team and the dioceses of Chelmsford and Southwark to look at the lessons to be learnt from the Church’s handling of the David Tudor case…
The full text of the press release continues below the fold…
The terms of reference for the SPR are available here.
An SPR is what was formerly known as a lessons learnt review.
22 CommentsAs readers probably already know Justin Welby was interviewed by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on 30 March. You can listen to the interview here, and watch it here. There has been much reporting and comment on the interview; some is below.
Laura Kuenssberg BBC Justin Welby: I failed to act on abuse scandal as scale was ‘overwhelming’
Laura Kuenssberg and Sean Seddon BBC Welby: I forgive serial abuser John Smyth
Laura Kuenssberg BBC After Justin Welby’s failures, obscurity is perhaps not his to choose
Madeleine Davies Church Times Welby looks back at his Smyth decisions and resignation in BBC interview
Harriet Sherwood The Guardian Justin Welby was too ‘overwhelmed’ by scale of abuse in C of E to take action
Ben Quinn and Harriet Sherwood The Guardian Justin Welby says he forgives serial abuser John Smyth
Tim Wyatt The New Statesman The confessions of Justin Welby
Angela Tilby Church Times BBC interview shows tragedy of Welby
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church Welby and Kuenssberg
Rebecca Chapman The Spectator What was the point of Justin Welby’s reconciliation interview?
Tim Wyatt The Critical Friend The scandal of grace
Andrew Brown The slow deep hover Here we go again
Douglas LeBlanc The Living Church Welby’s Interview Prompts New Backlash
The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, will commission the Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Revd Beverley Mason, as an Honorary Assistant Bishop. This will take place at the Chrism Mass in St Asaph Cathedral on Maundy Thursday. This is briefly mentioned in Bishop Gregory’s April ad clerum, which notes that Bishop Bev has a home in his diocese.
The diocese of Liverpool has issued a fuller news item, which is copied below.
10 CommentsBishop Bev is to be Made an Hon Asst Bishop at St Asaph at the Chrism Mass on Maundy Thursday
Bishop Bev has written: “I am humbled and deeply grateful to Bishop Gregory and colleagues in St Asaph for their warm welcome, love and affirmation. St Asaph has opened the door upon a new vista and I look forward with hope to a restored and renewed ministry in the Province of the Church in Wales. The Chrism Mass is a poignant reminder for all in Christian ministry of the very essence of our calling and vocation and of our re-covenanting with the God who has lived among us in our Lord Jesus Christ, who by his Cross and Passion, has redeemed the world. I pray this will be a time of blessing and renewal for all Christ’s Church.
I remain Bishop of Warrington as I continue to wait and push for a proper resolution to my unhappy situation. Today, it is 574 days since I exercised an episcopal ministry. It feels interminable – as I imagine it does for you. Thank you for your kind support, resilience and patience.
Please continue to pray for me – as I pray for you.”
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, has announced that he will retire on 30 November 2025. Further details are on the Leeds diocesan website: Bishop Nick announces his retirement with thanks to all in our diocese.
72 CommentsThe full membership of the Crown Nominations Commission for Canterbury is still not known, but it has been announced that the Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, has been elected by the House of Bishops to be a member.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, has been elected as a member of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) for the See of Canterbury, following an election by the House of Bishops.
As a Bishop from the Province of Canterbury, Bishop Graham will join the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, as the second Church of England episcopal member of the Canterbury CNC.
The remaining membership will be announced in early April. Once the full membership of the CNC is known, the Commission will convene for its first meeting in May, followed by at least two further meetings – one in July and another in September.
Through these, the Commission will agree the ‘Role Profile’ and ‘Person Specification’ for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and discern the longlist, to shortlist and to interview candidates.
It is not possible to apply for the role of Archbishop of Canterbury. Instead, individuals will be invited into a careful and prayerful process of discernment.
Elections to the Canterbury diocesan Vacancy-in-See committee are continuing, and once complete, the committee will elect three of its members to the CNC. Additionally the CNC has five representatives from the worldwide Anglican Communion, and these names have also still to be announced.
20 CommentsPress release from 10 Downing Street. The Leeds diocesan website has more information here, and the Sheffield website has a “farewell message” from the bishop-designate.
3 CommentsThe King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Malcolm Leslie Chamberlain, Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, in the Diocese of Sheffield, to the Suffragan See of Wakefield in the Diocese of Leeds.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 19 March 2025The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Malcolm Leslie Chamberlain, Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, in the Diocese of Sheffield, to the Suffragan See of Wakefield in the Diocese of Leeds.
Background
Malcolm was educated at the University of York and trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his title at St John’s Pleck and Bescot, Walsall, in the Diocese of Lichfield, and was ordained Priest in 1997. Malcolm was appointed Associate Minister at St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill, in the Diocese of Liverpool in 1999, and additionally worked as Associate Anglican Chaplain at the University of Liverpool.
In 2002 Malcolm was appointed as Anglican Chaplain to the University of Liverpool and an Emerging Church Consultant for the Diocese of Liverpool, a pioneering role that involved planting and leading a new worshipping community for young adults in Liverpool city centre. From 2008, he served as Priest-in-Charge at St Mary’s, Wavertree, and was appointed Rector in 2011. He was also appointed as Area Dean of Toxteth and Wavertree in 2012.
In 2014 Malcolm was appointed to his current role as Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, in the diocese of Sheffield. He is a member of the College of Archbishops’ Evangelists, and has served on the Church of England’s General Synod since 2015 and Mission and Public Affairs Council since 2016.
Malcolm is married to Jo, and they have two children in their early twenties. He collects vinyl records and enjoys going to gigs, and is a life-long supporter of Leicester City.
CEEC HOSTS SERVICES FOR CLERGY
AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CHRISM MASS SERVICES IN DIOCESES
The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) is inviting clergy to attend an ‘Affirmation of Ordination Vows’ Service as an alternative to the often called ‘Chrism Mass’ held in dioceses on Maundy Thursday.
John Dunnett, National Director, Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), said: “With their ongoing concerns with regards to Living in Love and Faith, we know that many clergy across the country feel in good conscience unable to attend the traditional Chrism Mass service in their diocese. So we are offering two alternative services, in keeping with the Alliance’s construction of the de facto parallel province.”
CEEC invites all clergy who EITHER feel unable to attend the service in their diocese to join us at one of the below AND/OR those who are attending their diocesan service to join us in addition to attending in their diocese to stand with us at this time.
_____________________
ONLINE/ZOOM SERVICE ON TUESDAY 15 APRIL AT 12 NOON
This will be led by Bishop Julian Henderson and Bishop Keith Sinclair.
Please click the button below to join the service – no need to book.
_____________________
IN-PERSON SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY 16 APRIL AT 19.30 IN LONDON AT ST JAMES THE LESS, PIMLICO, SW1V 2PS
This will be led by Bishop Pete Broadbent.
This is being coordinated by LonDEN (London DEF) but clergy/lay people are welcome from other dioceses.
No need to book – simply turn up.
120 CommentsThe Church of England’s House of Bishops met yesterday and issued the following press release.
House of Bishops meeting March 2025
11/03/2025
The House of Bishops met online on March 11, 2025.
Bishops spent time discussing the recent meeting of General Synod in London, including reflecting on responses to the vote on safeguarding independence.
The House then discussed proposals for work by the Liturgical Commission – the body responsible for the Church of England’s worship – and commissioned future work.
The House considered the ongoing work of the Diocesan Finance Review and agreed that work should continue on ways to raise clergy stipends subject to recommendations to be developed by the Triennium Funding Working Group.
Bishops then discussed the process of discernment leading to ordination and agreed that Assessments for Psychological Wellbeing, already widely in use across the Church of England, should become a mandatory part of the Shared Discernment Process from later this year.
The House also spent time in groups, praying and reflecting on a passage from Isaiah 55.
16 CommentsAn adjournment debate was held in the House of Commons on Monday evening, on Church of England Safeguarding. The full transcript of the debate is available here.
A video recording of the entire day (starting at 2.30 pm) is available here. The adjournment debate began at 8.33 pm and concluded at 9.32 pm.
The Church Times has published this news article: Commons debate airs ‘disappointment’ at direction of church safeguarding
28 CommentsA review of Winchester Cathedral identified “significant failings in leadership and management”, the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, said today, when a summary of the review was published. The diocese issued this press release, and the summary is here. The Dean, the Very Revd Catherine Ogle, whose retirement in May this year was announced several months ago, has said that she will immediately hand over leadership responsibilities to Vice-Dean Canon Roly Riem.
There are a number of press reports.
Church Times ‘Significant failings’ found at Winchester Cathedral
Hampshire Chronicle Dean of Winchester Cathedral steps down following bullying review
Slippedisc Winchester in Turmoil as Dean Abruptly Quits
The cathedral website has this list of Winchester Cathedral Updates on Bishop’s Review.
61 CommentsPress release from 10 Downing Street.
The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Ruth Elizabeth Worsley, Suffragan Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, to the See of Wigan, to be known as the Interim Bishop of Liverpool.
The Liverpool diocesan website has New Interim Bishop of Liverpool Announced.
68 CommentsFrom: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 28 February 2025The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Ruth Elizabeth Worsley, Suffragan Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, to the See of Wigan, to be known as the Interim Bishop of Liverpool.
Background
Ruth was educated at the University of Manchester and prepared for ordination at St John’s College, Nottingham. Ordained in 1996 to a title in Hyson Green, in the Diocese of Southwell she had various other parish responsibilities in that diocese as well as service as Area Dean of Nottingham North.
Ruth served as Dean of Women’s Ministry and as an Honorary Chaplain to Her late Majesty The Queen. She was subsequently Parish Development Officer in the Diocese of Southwark and then Archdeacon of Wiltshire in the Diocese of Salisbury. She was appointed Bishop of Taunton in 2015.