Church of England Week in Westminster, 20th-25th October 2014

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

In the past week, the Second Church Estates Commissioner has led the debate on the Church of England Measure for Women Bishops, which was passed by MPs and then went on to receive Royal Assent.

In the House of Lords bishops have supported amendments to the Government’s Criminal Justice and Courts Bill and Deregulation Bill and spoken about apprenticeships and further education. Bishops have also asked questions about free schools, freedom of religion in Iran and fuel costs. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 20th-25th October 2014”

Bishop of Coventry speech on apprenticeships and further education

On Thursday 23rd October 2014, the House of Lords debated a motion in the name of Lord Monks, “that this House takes note of the case for improved alternatives for young people not attending university.” The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth, made a speech, which focused on examples of FE and apprenticeships in his diocese.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, I join others in thanking the noble Lord, Lord Monks, for leading this timely debate, in which I have learnt a lot. Perhaps I may speak rather anecdotally, and from where I come—Coventry. It is a city with two universities, both of which have an extraordinarily impressive history in relating to local businesses and developing qualifications, teaching and research that serve the world of work. The local economy of Coventry would have been in great difficulty in recent years without the excellent and genuinely multilayered provision from Coventry University and Warwick University, and I join the noble Lord, Lord Baker, in his congratulations and deep appreciation to the noble Lord, Lord Bhattacharyya, for his work in this area. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry speech on apprenticeships and further education”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about fuel costs and pre-payment meters

On 23rd October the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Rev Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question about addressing the higher fuel costs imposed by pre-payment meters.

Bishop of St AlbansAsked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the outcomes of the round-table discussions convened by Ofgem over the summer with suppliers, consumer representatives, parliamentarians and the Government, particularly in relation to addressing the higher fuel costs imposed by pre-payment meters.[HL2157] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about fuel costs and pre-payment meters”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about freedom of religion and belief in Iran

On 23rd October 2014 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt rev Alan Smith, received two written answers from Government to questions he had raised about freedom of religion and belief in Iran.

Bishop of St AlbansAsked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had through the chargé d’affaires of the recently reopened Iranian embassy regarding the imprisonment of Pastor Behnam Irani.[HL2154] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about freedom of religion and belief in Iran”

Bishop of Rochester supports amendments on conditions for secure colleges for young offenders

On Wednesday 22nd October 2014, the House of Lords debated amendments to the Government’s Criminal Justice and Courts Bill during the second day of its Report Stage.

The Rt Reverend James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester, contributed to the debate on Lord Ramsbotham’s amendment 108 to the bill, which was later withdrawn. The amendment sought to ensure that no secure college for young offenders could be established until clear rules on their operation had first been agreed. The Bishop spoke in favour of the amendment, highlighting the need to provide the highest standards of education for children in young offender institutions, especially when it had often been such a lacking feature of their pasts.

Bishop of RochesterThe Lord Bishop of Rochester:  My Lords, I hope that I am not a flag-waving antagonist but I support the pleas made by the last few noble Lords who have spoken, asking for some thoughtfulness, reflection and time to be taken over this. I am grateful for the consultation about the rules but we need time to take that consultation seriously and reflect upon it. Continue reading “Bishop of Rochester supports amendments on conditions for secure colleges for young offenders”

Votes on the Deregulation Bill

On 21st October 2014 three bishops took part in three votes on the Government’s Deregulation Bill during the House of Lords committee stage . Details on the Bill can be found here. Continue reading “Votes on the Deregulation Bill”

Minister congratulates CofE on new free schools in response to question from Bishop of Peterborough

On 21st October 2014, Baroness Massey of Darwen asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to ensure a fair admissions policy in schools.” The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Rev Donald Allister, asked a supplementary question:

14.02 PeterboroughThe Lord Bishop of Peterborough: Will the Minister join me in congratulating the four latest Church of England free schools to be announced, which between them offer nearly 2,500 places to young people of all faiths and none, especially in areas of severe shortage? Continue reading “Minister congratulates CofE on new free schools in response to question from Bishop of Peterborough”

Minister congratulates Church on passage of Women Bishops Measure

On 21st October 2014 Baroness Thornton asked Her Majesty’s Government “what measures they are taking to increase the representation of women in public life”. The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth, asked a supplementary question.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, in the light of those and other comments and last night’s debate in the other place, is the Minister ready to accept the thanks of the Church of England to both Houses for dealing so expeditiously with this matter? If Her Majesty graciously grants Royal Assent to the Measure, will the Minister convey in a suitably constitutional way the good wishes of this House to the General Synod when it meets to enact the necessary canon on 17 November, which will make way for the admittance of women to the episcopate in the Church of England?

Baroness Northover: I was delighted with the debate in this and the other House. We congratulate the church on this historic event.

(via Parliament.uk)

 

House of Commons approves the Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure

Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure

20th October, 2014

[Relevant document: The 233rd Report from the Ecclesiastical Committee, Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure, HC 622.]

5.07 pm

Green BenchesThe Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry):

I beg to move,

That the Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure (HC 621), passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for her Royal Assent in the form in which it was laid before Parliament.

It is now nearly a century since Parliament recognised that it should no longer be the body that initiated legislation concerning the running of the Church of England. However, Church legislation becomes part of the law of England, so it requires parliamentary approval and Royal Assent. A Measure such as the one before us has to have been passed by the General Synod of the Church of England. Most Measures require simple majorities in the Synod, but this one falls in that special category of particularly important instruments that need to have achieved at least two-thirds majorities in each of the Houses of Bishops, Clergy and Laity. Continue reading “House of Commons approves the Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure”

Criminal Justice and Courts Bill – vote on indeterminate sentences

On 20th October 2014 the House of Lords debated the Government’s Criminal Justice and Courts Bill during its Report Stage. Peers debated an amendment from Crossbench Peer Lord Lloyd of Berwick to Clause 10, relating to treatment of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences. The Bishop of Rochester, Rt Rev James Langstaff, joined several Peers in expressing support for the amendment and he voted for its inclusion during the subsequent Division of the House. Continue reading “Criminal Justice and Courts Bill – vote on indeterminate sentences”