Bishops challenged to prove their unique ‘conscience’ role in House of Lords
Issued on behalf of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship/Christian Concern for Our Nation
19 March 2007
THE relevance of Church of England Bishops as the “custodians of moral and ethical values” in debates in the House of Lords is to be put to the test this Wednesday
At a time when the Government is considering a fully elected second chamber, and whether the 26 Bishops of the state church should continue to be given their exclusive places on the coveted red benches, 42 members of the General Synod of the Church of England have issued a challenge to their national leaders.
In a letter signed by lay members of Church’s ruling body, the Bishops were told that the arguments for retaining the unique privileges enjoyed by the Church of England in the Upper House would be severely negated unless the Bishops, en bloc, turned up to vote against the introduction of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation Regulations) 2007 when debated by the Lords on Wednesday.
The Government claims the SORs will simply prevent discrimination in the provision of services against people simply because of their sexual orientation. However, opponents widely believe the regulations will lead to the promotion of homosexuality in primary schools and the ’silencing’ of Christians who believe in the Bible’s teaching on relationships.
Bishops were told in the letter over the weekend: “Given the great significance of this vote, many people would understand that the responsibility that Bishops undertake as members of the House of Lords requires them on such occasions to vary their crowded timetable in order to attend the debate. Many Christians will be praying outside Parliament at the same time, giving up other activities that could rightly claim their attention.
“We also note the spirited defence made last week of the role of the Bishops in the House of Lords by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Chelmsford. Important substance would be given to their words if all the Bishops in the Lords were to attend to vote.”
Anthony Archer, author of the letter and a member of the Crown Nominations Committee said: “This is a rare opportunity for all Bishops to unite around this subject. It is also an outstanding moment for them to make a clear statement about their role in the House of Lords in the context of the proposals for reform, which looks increasingly likely to lead to a diminishing of their ability to be the conscience of the nation in our democratic process.”
ENDS.
For further information:
Anthony Archer: 01442 843249 (07721 504125); Paul Eddy 01202 522177 (07851 007 187)
Editor’s Note:
The letter was signed by the following lay members of General Synod (in alphabetical order): Anthony Archer (St Albans), Edward Armitstead (Bath and Wells), Lorna Ashworth (Chichester), Barry Barnes (Southwark), Anneliese Barrell (Exeter), Tom Benyon (Oxford), David Blackmore (Chester), Paul Boyd-Lee (Salisbury), Peter Bruinvels (Guildford), Michael Burbeck (Salisbury), Gerald Burrows (Blackburn), Graham Campbell (Chester), Jim Cheeseman (Rochester), Nigel Chetwood (Gloucester), Prudence Dailey (Oxford), Ian Dobbie (Rochester), Paul Eddy (Winchester), Sarah Finch (London), Philip Giddings (Oxford), John Hanks (Oxford), Glynn Harrison (Bristol), Mary Judkins (Wakefield), Frank Knaggs (Newcastle), Philip Lovegrove (St Albans), Keith Malcouronne (Guildford), Peter May (Winchester), David Mills (Carlisle), Steve Mitchell (Derby), Joanna Monckton (Lichfield), Gill Morrison (Peterborough), Terry Musson (Truro), Mary Nagel (Chichester), Gerry O’Brien (Rochester), Elizabeth Paver (Sheffield), Alison Ruoff (London), Clive Scowen (London), Ian Smith (York), Penny Stranack (Truro), Michael Streeter (Chichester), Carol Ticehurst (Lincoln), Sister Anne Williams (Durham), Alison Wynne (Blackburn).
Paul Eddy, FRSA
Director
Paul Eddy Public Relations Limited
Kavanagh House, 25 Ridley Road, Bournemouth BH9 1LD
T: 01202 522177 E: paul@pepr.co.uk W: www.pepr.co.uk
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