On 21st November 2023 the Right Reverend Stephen Conway was re-introduced to the House of Lords in his new role as Bishop of Lincoln. He had previously served as Bishop of Ely.
Bishop of Lincoln introduced to Lords
Category: News
News about bishops and the church in Parliament. Opinion and comment pieces by Lords Spiritual on parliamentary / political issues.
Bishop of Norwich introduced
On 26th October 2023, the Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham Usher, was introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat on the Bishops Benches as a Lord Spiritual.
Bishop of Newcastle introduced
On 26th October 2023, the Bishop of Newcastle, Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley, was introduced to the House of Lords and took her seat on the Bishops Benches as a Lord Spiritual.
Bishops won’t abandon the vulnerable that Christ calls us to love – Archbishop of Canterbury writes for The Times
The following article by the Most Rev Justin Welby, appeared in The Times newspaper on May 24 2023.
We must control our borders. We must stop the boats. We must have limits to those coming because we cannot take everyone. I said all this in the opening sentences of my speech in the House of Lords the week before last.
As the Illegal Migration Bill enters committee stage in the Lords, everyone agrees the status quo position on asylum fails. Those that arrive use dangerous means and face chaotic, ineffective treatment at tremendous cost, which creates discontent among those in the UK who feel their generosity is being exploited. We need a new approach that loves mercy and does justice, to use words from scripture.
Continue reading “Bishops won’t abandon the vulnerable that Christ calls us to love – Archbishop of Canterbury writes for The Times”‘MPs must oppose government plans that threaten nurses and others with dismissal’ – Bishop of London and RCN General Secretary article
The following article, jointly authored by the Bishop of London and Pat Cullen, appeared in The Times Red Box on Monday May 22 2023
Nursing has come a long way since we both entered the profession for the first time in the 1980s. But the values that underpin it have remained constant: compassion, selflessness, dignity, and integrity.
Nurses will stop at nothing to look after their patients. The nursing profession is the beating heart of this country’s health and care system.
Ministers stood on their doorsteps during the pandemic clapping the heroic efforts of nurses. Now that seems like a distant memory.
Continue reading “‘MPs must oppose government plans that threaten nurses and others with dismissal’ – Bishop of London and RCN General Secretary article”Bishop of Sheffield introduced
On 14th March 2023, the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, was introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat on the Bishops Benches as a Lord Spiritual.
Hansard records that:
Peter Jonathan, Lord Bishop of Sheffield, was introduced and took the oath, supported by the Bishop of Worcester and the Bishop of Guildford, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.
Bishop of Lichfield introduced
On 20th February 2023, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, was introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat on the Bishops Benches as a Lord Spiritual.
Hansard records that:
2.37pm
Michael Geoffrey, Lord Bishop of Lichfield, was introduced and took the oath, supported by the Bishop of Southwark and the Bishop of Gloucester, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.
Second Estates Commissioner to Synod – not the job of Parliament to decide Church of England doctrine
On 8th February 2023 the Church of England General Synod debated a motion on same-sex marriage and the response of the College of Bishops to the Church’s Living in Love and Faith process. The Second Church Estates Commissioner addressed the Synod:
Andrew Selous MP, Second Church Estates Commissioner. Ex-officio 458:
I was called to answer an urgent question on this issue in the House of Commons on 24th January. I was amused to be told the urgent question would not be repeated in the House of Lords because there was apparently no one to speak for the Church of England in the House of Lords !
I pledged to make MPs views known to Synod. Of the twelve who spoke that day, eight expressed a hope that the Synod would change doctrine to enable same-sex couples to be married by the Church. There were deep and heartfelt stories from a number of MPs of the personal sense of hurt they felt at what they considered to be ongoing discrimination against LGBT+ people.
Others have contacted me in private, for fear of retribution, to support traditional doctrine and several said that it is for Synod, not for Parliament, to reach its own prayerful decision on this issue. Copies of the Hansard extract are available at the administration desk.
Continue reading “Second Estates Commissioner to Synod – not the job of Parliament to decide Church of England doctrine”Bishop of Leicester introduced
On 8th November 2022, the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Martyn Snow, was introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat on the Bishops Benches as a Lord Spiritual.
Hansard records that:
2.37pm
Martyn James, Lord Bishop of Leicester, was introduced and took the oath, supported by the Bishop of Durham and the Bishop of St Albans, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.
‘I joined 25 Bishops in condemning plans to send refugees to Rwanda – here’s why’ – Bishop of Durham
The following article by the Bishop of Durham appeared in the Independent on 15th June 2022
Rt Revd Paul Butler
It is a deeply regrettable moment for us as a nation that the government is pursuing a policy that intends to transport asylum seekers to another country thousands of miles away, before and without considering their claim to asylum in the UK.
We have a rich history of providing sanctuary to those around the world fleeing war and persecution, and it is intolerable to see us abdicate both our moral responsibility and commitment to international law. This week, all of the 26 bishops of the Church of England who serve in the House of Lords signed a letter voicing our alarm over the government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Continue reading “‘I joined 25 Bishops in condemning plans to send refugees to Rwanda – here’s why’ – Bishop of Durham”
The Church of England in Parliament 
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