Press release from the Church of England
House of Bishops – 29 November 2022
29/11/2022
The House of Bishops met by Zoom for its 29 November meeting.
The Chair began the meeting by inviting the Bishop of London, Chair of the Next Steps Group, to offer reflections on Living in Love and Faith (LLF) and the recent meeting of the College of Bishops. A range of views and reflections were discussed by the House regarding both the content and the LLF process, with the Bishop of London acknowledging the complexity and depth of feeling around the issue. The Bishop of London concluded by urging the House to continue listening to God and thanked the House for its participation and contribution to LLF to date.
The House then turned outs attention to the Mission and Pastoral Measure Review and was addressed by the Third Estates Commissioner and by the Head of Mission, Pastoral and Church Property. The House was invited to comment on the general scope of the main recommendations including the approach to church buildings, patronage changes, and other changes which would support episcopal ministry in the long term. The House gave its views on a range of policy issues which will be incorporated in the recommendations of the Review as they are finalised.
The Bishop of Rochester then introduced the House to the recently appointed national Director for Safeguarding who provided a summary of his role to date, before turning the House’s attention to how it will respond to the final report of IICSA and its key recommendations.
The Bishop of Sheffield and the Executive Chair, Diocesan Secretaries and Chief Executives both introduced a paper highlighting a range of issues related to the recruitment, induction support and accountability of Diocesan Secretaries. Several proposals were discussed by the House with a view to reducing unnecessary staff turnover and ensuring that Diocesan Secretaries operate as effectively as possible. The House endorsed the development of the proposals as well as a best practice framework for Dioceses and requested an update on progress be made to the House in May 2023.
A paper relating to the process of assessing the return to ministry of respondents who have been subject to a limited prohibition under the Clergy Disciplinary Measure 2003 was then discussed by the House and presented by legal officers of the National Church Institutions. The House endorsed the refinement of current guidelines and gave comment and observation on the Draft Code of Practice on Return to Ministry.
The Bishop of Guildford updated the House on recommendations made by the National Church Governance Project Board in relation to the role of bishops in the governance arrangements of the National Church. The House discussed the recommendations and gave advisory guidance on the recommendations contained in the paper.
The Secretary General then updated the House on the distribution so far of national Church grants totalling £15 million to dioceses, to help them meet the challenge of increased energy costs.
The meeting ended in prayer.
So, in short- The House of Bishops met. The Chair began the meeting by inviting the Bishop of London, Chair of the Next Steps Group, to offer reflections on Living in Love and Faith (LLF) and the recent meeting of the College of Bishops. The Bishop of London concluded by urging the House to continue listening to God. The House then turned outs (sic) attention to the Mission and Pastoral Measure Review and was addressed by the Third Estates Commissioner and by the Head of Mission, Pastoral and Church Property. The House gave its views. The Bishop of Rochester then… Read more »
Why did the bishop of London have to ‘urge’ her fellow bishops to listen to God? Perhaps she’s finally realised what many of us already knew.
Really very little information beyond what was on the agenda.
I am not so sure. “A range of views and reflections were discussed by the House regarding both the content and the LLF process, with the Bishop of London acknowledging the complexity and depth of feeling around the issue.” Having read similar meeting reports over the past few months, I suspect that translates into “There was outright disagreement, even so far as to the process itself.” I agree that the actual wording doesn’t say that but compare the reporting of this agenda item with the usual reporting and the contrast is obvious. Not that the disagreement is particularly secret these… Read more »
We can watch discussions live as Parliament and many of its committees discuss issues of huge concern, and I think it would be great if formal Bishops’ meetings could be live-streamed as well (or at least broadcast later, if any personal details need to be edited out). It wouldn’t guarantee complete transparency, because some might curtail what they would otherwise have said, but at least it would all be a bit less opaque. Presumably the same concerns over Parliament could be voiced, and yet they seem to manage it. I also think, in terms of accountability, there’s a case for… Read more »
I sense a correlation between the gradual stripping away of a meaningful agenda for diocesan synods and the expansion of the work of the house and college of bishops. The rightful place for a bishop to take counsel is with his/her presbyteral college. It is the outcome of those conversations, coupled with the views of the bishop’s diocesan synod, that should inform the discussions and decisions of the house and college of bishops. Instead secret discussions take place which lead to what feels unpopular policies being imposed on the people of the diocese. ‘Episcopally led’ is fine so long as… Read more »