Last week we reported the publication of the first Annual Report of Sir Philip Mawer, the Independent Reviewer, on the operation of the Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests (Resolution of Disputes Procedure) Regulations 2014. We also posted on Sir Philip’s clarification of the Legal & Canonical Status of Provincial Episcopal Visitors; this formed Appendix 3 to the Report and had been circulated last August, but with a limited distribution.
The other legislative issues addressed in the Annual Report concerned two aspects associated with licences issued to ministers, and these are summarized below. In common with the clarification on the status of PEVs, both are broader considerations highlighted by the North Cheltenham case, the subject of Sir Philip’s report of 10 August 2015; both provide informal guidance. Continue reading