Written answers: Female and LGBT clergy numbers in the CofE

On 8th June 2015 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, replied to two written parliamentary questions, on women and LGBT clergy.

Asked by Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) on: 02 June 2015

Clergy: Females

To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, how many members of the clergy in each of the last 10 years have been women.

Caroline SpelmanAnswered by: Mrs Caroline Spelman on: 08 June 2015

The most recent statistics available on the number of women in ordained ministry in the Church of England can be found in the table below. These figures combine all clergy who are full time or part time stipendiary clergy and those who are self-supporting clergy. Although more recent figures are not yet available, the general trend is towards an increase in women training for ordained ministry and the Church of England has most recently appointed three women as bishops who are:

  • The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek,
  • The Bishop of Stockport, Rt Revd Elizabeth Lane,
  • And the Bishop of Hull, Rt Revd Alison White.

Year

Female

Male

2012

3,650

7,725

2011

3,575

7,843

2010

3,535

8,087

2009

3,401

8,257

2008

3,414

8,531

2007

3,268

8,645

2006

3,119

8,785

2005

2,986

8,936

2004

2,654

8,852

(via Parliament.uk)

Asked by Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) on: 02 June 2015

Clergy: LGBT People

To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what statistics the Church Commissioners collect on the number of LGBT men and women in the clergy.

Answered by: Mrs Caroline Spelman on: 08 June 2015

The National Church Institutions of the Church of England do not maintain a record of the number of LGBT clergy.

(via Parliament.uk)

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