There is now a section of the Church of England website that contains information on the current procedures for the selection of diocesan bishops, suffragan bishops, deans, archdeacons, and residentiary canons.
See Senior Appointments, and follow the links from there for
Diocesan bishops
Suffragan bishops
Deans
Archdeacons
Residentiary Canons
The front page says:
The aim of the attached guidelines is to ensure that the process of discernment is underpinned by a selection framework which incorporates best practice methods and aspirations. The documents set out common national standards and, as with any such document, there may be cases where the detail of provisions might need to be varied according to local circumstances. They are designed to make recruitment as transparent, fair and consistent as possible as well as open to the Holy Spirit. The structure they provide should assist all involved in appointments in making more informed decisions. Candidates who are being considered for senior office are engaged in the deeply personal experience of examining their own calling whilst having it tested by the Church. It is hoped that these guidelines will also provide the support and clarity they need.
These guidelines replace the Senior Church Appointments Code of Practice (GS Misc 455, 1995). They are based on the report Talent and Calling (GS1650, 2007), which recommended that:
‘The Church adopts an integrated and consistent method for making of appointments to senior ecclesiastical office and that all appointments are transparent and encourage the confidence of the Church in the procedures’.
The availability of these documents was announced to Parliament on 23 June, see this statement by the Second Church Estates Commissioner.
Still not sure why Residentiary Canons count as senior appointments.
It is great to see such a clear and transparent process adopted for all these appointments that takes some account of standard professional processes, some reference to ecclesiological needs, and care for the potential candidates. But I did get the giggles when I realised there was no reference to gender in the episcopal appointments, a reporting requirement on ‘diversity’ in the senior appointments (!) and only a mention of ‘suitable persons’ being nominated to the Crown at the end. Where’s the genitalia check? In fact I’ve often wondered, how does the church actually know someone’s gender?
Thanks for digging this out, Simon. It is very good to have it easily available in one place until we all get used to it as the ‘norm’.