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Bishops’ bench branded “undemocratic anomaly” in Lords debate

Bishops’ bench branded “undemocratic anomaly” in Lords debate


A House of Lords debate on a bill to increase female representation on the bishops’ bench has sparked fierce criticism of automatic seats for clerics in the legislature.

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill would extend a law which prioritises female bishops joining the bishops’ bench.

Twenty six Church of England bishops sit by right in the House of Lords, reflecting the Church’s established status.

In yesterday’s debate on the bill, crossbench peer John Birt described reserved seats for Anglican bishops as a “feudal legacy” embedded “centuries before the notion of democracy gathered pace.”

The bishops’ bench must be recognised as an “indefensible, undemocratic anomaly”, he said.

He said the bishops’ presence was not “appropriate” in light of 2021 Census results which showed, for the first time, Christianity is a minority religion in England and Wales.

Appointments to the Lords should be made on the basis of “individual merit”, he said, rather than right.

Lib Dem peer Paul Scriven said “no religion or its leaders should have a privileged role” in a democratic legislature.

He cited polling which showed 62% of the public oppose automatic seats for clerics in the legislature.

He said the bishops’ bench was even more unfair because it represented only one church of only one of the four nations of the United Kingdom.

Scriven introduced a private member’s bill last year to disestablish the Church of England, including abolishing the bishops’ bench.

Last week, the government announced legislation to remove hereditary peers as part of House of Lords reform. The proposals do not address the bishops’ bench.

“Institutional misogyny” in the Church of England

Scriven said the bill to increase female representation was necessary because of “institutional misogyny” in the Church of England.

He said “centuries of discrimination” in the established Church had kept women out of senior roles.

Exemptions in the Equality Act 2010 allow clergy and parishes to reject the ministry of women bishops or priests. Scriven said was this was to “appease the misogyny” in the CofE.

In 2019, 500 churches had bans on female priests.

NSS: “Church of England’s insincerity on sexual equality laid bare”

NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said: “It’s encouraging to see scrutiny and criticism of the bishops’ bench coming from within the House of Lords itself.

“While the proposals to remove hereditary peers from the House of Lords represent a step towards reform, they do not go far enough. A comprehensive approach must also address the privileged place of bishops, whose automatic seats violate the principles of a secular democracy – something the UK should aspire to be.

“It is also good to see the Church of England’s insincerity on sexual equality laid bare. Arguing for legislation to fast-track female bishops whilst keeping sexist clergy appeased by allowing parishes to reject them smacks of hypocrisy.”



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