News about bishops and the church in Parliament. Opinion and comment pieces by Lords Spiritual on parliamentary / political issues.
On Thursday 5th February, Nicholas Baines, Lord Bishop of Leeds, was introduced and took the oath, supported by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Carlisle, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.
The full procedure for introduction of Lords Spiritual to the House of Lords is set out in the House of Lords Companion to Standing Orders, which can be read here.
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on Eritrea and Ethiopia, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, education reform and Palestine. Bishops also asked questions on Saudi Arabia, Boko Haram, faith and free schools, oil prices and flood control.
In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on the Archbishop of York’s Book ‘On Rock Or Sand’, medical ethics, the Anglican Communion, financial education, women bishops and bats. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 26th-30th January 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Recall of MPs Bill, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, autism and the criminal justice system, Local Government Finance Settlements and the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill. Three Church of England Measures were debated and agreed to. Bishops also asked questions on milk, the arts and child marriage.
In the House of Commons, the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill passed all of its legislative stages and will receive its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Thursday 12th February. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 19th-23rd January 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, accident and emergency services, chancel repair liability, maternal and neonatal mortality, and the Assisted Dying Bill. They also asked questions on forced marriage, affordable housing in rural communities, citizenship programmes, Egypt, prostitution, the Somerset Rivers Authority and UK milk production.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 12th-16th January 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in a debate on early years intervention and asked questions on climate change, Ukraine, FGM, air pollution and electricity imports. During prayers in the House, the Bishop of St Albans led Peers in a minute’s silence following the terrorist attacks in Paris. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner welcomed news that the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill will be debated by MPs on the 19th January. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 5th-9th January 2015”
The following letter, co-signed by the Bishop of Birmingham and leaders of other faiths, appeared in The Times newspaper on 6th January 2015:
Sir, This year will provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity: in September world leaders decide on new goals for sustainable development and in December a new climate treaty.
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Government’s Social Action, Responsibility & Heroism Bill and asked questions on Higher Education, abortion and dog licensing. They also received written answers to questions on under-age marriage, violence against women, prostitution and drink-driving. In the House of Commons MPs congratulated Rev Libby Lane on her appointment as the new Bishop of Stockport. The Second Church Estates Commissioner also welcomed the introduction of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill by Government, aimed at expediting the arrival of the first female diocesan bishops to the House of Lords.
Parliament has now risen for the Christmas recess and will return on 5th January (Lords on the 6th). Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 15th-19th December 2014”
On Wednesday 17th December 2014 it was announced by Downing Street that the Rev Libby Lane had been nominated to be the next Bishop of Stockport, making her the first woman to be appointed as a bishop in the Church of England. MPs joined those across the country in offering their congratulations. Continue reading “MPs welcome the news of the Church of England’s first female bishop”
On 15th December 2014 the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, was Introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark Introduced to Lords”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords spoke in debates about the Childcare Payments Bill, the Modern Slavery Bill, economic leadership for cities, female genital mutilation, global development goals and the Cohabitation Rights Bill.
They also asked questions about British nationals abroad, domestic violence, child poverty, mesothelioma research funding, forced marriage and hunger in Britain.
Bishops also voted on amendments to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, during the ping-pong stage of the Bill’s consideration.
In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered questions about the maintenance of cathedrals, church repairs, bat damage in churches and general election hustings Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 8th – 12th December 2014”
The Church of England in Parliament 
You must be logged in to post a comment.