A week dominated by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s announcement of his intended resignation...
…on which comments have been restricted to the legal issues involved. There are a couple of good descriptions of how the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury will be chosen and appointed, below, but an appreciable degree of uncertainty has been introduced post-Makin.
The Archbishop and the Makin Review
On 7 November 2024, Channel 4 News bounced the Church of England into publishing an early release of the independent review led by Keith Makin in advance of its scheduled release on 13 November. Taking a textbook “public affairs” approach, the Church regained control of the agenda, albeit briefly but, given the revelations within the Review and the inordinate time of its gestation, it was inevitable that media interest would be aroused.
In a statement issued by Lambeth Palace at 2 pm on Tuesday 12 November, Archbishop Welby said: “I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England”. The exact timing of his resignation will be decided once a review of necessary constitutional and Church obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion.
Whilst the Makin Review was the trigger for recent events, its focus is necessarily prospective and indicates the actions which should be taken by the Church. However, for many, the 253-page Review, which includes eight Key Recommendations and twenty-seven Specific Recommendations directed at particular concerns, is a TL;DR document, and we have therefore posted a more reader-friendly summary.
Sir Jamie Colman and the Revd Sue Colman to “step back” after Makin Report
The Makin Review concluded: “It is likely, on the balance of probabilities, that both Jamie and Sue Colman had significant knowledge of the abuses in the UK and Africa, given their positions as trustees.” In a statement following the publication of the Makin Review, the Diocese of Winchester has asked Lady Colman, an associate minister at St Leonard’s Church in Oakley, near Basingstoke in Hampshire, to step back from all ministerial duties while it reflects on the review’s findings and works with the National Safeguarding Team to take steps to manage any associated risk.
Sir Jamie Colman has no official ministerial position in the diocese but has also been asked to step back from volunteering. In addition, it has been agreed that all parish activities originally scheduled at Malshanger Park, owned by the Colmans, will take place at alternative locations.
The Revd Sue Colman has served as a part-time voluntary chaplain for a number of years in the life of St Mellitus College. The Dean and Chair of the College stated “[f]ollowing publication of the report, and working with relevant Dioceses, we initiated a safeguarding risk assessment. Sue Colman has agreed to step back from her chaplaincy role at St Mellitus College with immediate effect.”
House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill
On Tuesday, during the Commons debate on the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill in Committee of the whole House, the Question that New Clause 1 (Exclusion of bishops) – which declares inter alia that “No-one shall be a member of the House of Lords by virtue of being a bishop or Archbishop of the Church of England” – be read a second time, was negatived by 378 votes to 41. The Bill passed the Commons and is currently awaiting second reading in the Lords.
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, a private Member’s ballot bill introduced by Kim Leadbeater – “to allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life; and for connected purposes” – has been published, here, and is set down for second reading on 29 November. Explanatory Notes prepared by the Member in charge of the bill are here.
Ecclesiastical Judges Association Report: Churchyard Memorial Regulations
The Report was summarized here and reviewed in more detail here. However, one of our sharp-eyed readers noticed the absence of two documents referred to in the Report, and thereafter in more detail. The Chair of the EJA Working Party, HH Peter Collier KC, has kindly provided an explanation of queries raised by the Report, which is posted here.
Interfaith meeting at Number Ten
The Religion Media Centre reports that faith leaders were invited to 10 Downing Street on 14 November for a breakfast event during interfaith week. The Prime Minister pledged that faith leaders would have a part to play in formulating policy across a wide range of areas in the future and promised another similar event in six months’ time. For their part, the faith representatives emphasised the importance of interfaith work to maintain cohesion between communities.
Quick links
- Cabinet Office: Archbishop of Canterbury appointment process: a very basic idiot’s guide on how to choose a new Archbishop.
- Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia: Bishop not vicariously liable for abuse by clergy: on the High Court of Australia judgment in Bird v DP (a pseudonym) [2024] HCA 41.
- Richard Kelly, House of Commons Library: The Law Commission and Law Commission Bill Procedures – House of Commons Library.
- Thibaut Lesseliers, Strasbourg Observers: Pindo Mulla v. Spain – blood transfusions to Jehovah’s Witnesses: is protecting personal autonomy through procedural justice enough?
- Jason Loch, Venerable Puzzle: How an Archbishop of Canterbury is appointed.
- David Torrance, House of Commons Library: How is a new Archbishop of Canterbury chosen?
Updated 18 November 2024 at 08:41.