Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill

The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill, which removes the bar on a Prime Minister of the Roman Catholic or Jewish faith advising the Crown on appointments in the Church of England or the Church of Scotland, was read a second time in the Commons on Wednesday. The debate is here.

In an answer on the same day to a written question from Mike Wood (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Con) asking whether the Archbishop of Canterbury had been consulted by the Prime Minister before the announcement about amending the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, the Second Church Estates Commissioner said this:

“Yes. The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill will remove a historic legal restriction on those who profess the Roman Catholic or Jewish faith from advising the Crown on appointments in the established churches of England and Scotland. This minor change ensures equal treatment of future office holders, regardless of their faith tradition, or lack of faith Continue reading →