How Bishops are appointed—and how you can have your say

How are Bishops appointed?

As a supporter of STP, you may be asking how Bishops come to be appointed, and whether there is anything you to influence future episcopal appointments.

The processes for appointing Diocesan Bishops begins with the Vacancy in See (ViS) Committee. The Vacancy in See Committee exists at all times, even when it has nothing to do (because a vacancy might in theory arise at any time). Its membership consists of the senior clergy of the Diocese, its General Synod members (both clergy and laity), the Chairman of the Diocesan House of Clergy and of the House of Laity, and a number of additional people elected by and from the Diocesan Synod. 

As soon as a vacancy is on the cards, the ViS Committee has two tasks: to draw up a Statement of Needs outlining the sort of person the Diocese is looking for in its next Bishop; and to elect six of its members to the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), which is the Committee that actually makes the nomination. The Diocesan representatives will be joined on the CNC by six national representatives plus the two Archbishops.

Meanwhile the Archbishops’ and Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretaries will be carrying out consultations around the Diocese, which will include an opportunity for anyone in the Diocese to express views, either in general or by suggesting specific names. 

Following this process, the CNC will receive a longlist of candidates: some of these may have emerged from the consultation, whilst others will have been put forward by members of the CNC (including the Archbishops). There then follows a confidential process of shortlisting, interviews and (hopefully) nomination. In order to be nominated a candidate must be able to achieve the support of 2/3 of the membership of the CNC (i.e.10 out of 14), and there have recently been instances in which this has not been possible, resulting in the whole process going back to the drawing board, with consequent long delays. Assuming a nomination is made and the candidate accepts the nomination, that name is then sent to the Prime Minister for approval by The King. An announcement is not made until safeguarding and other necessary checks have been made.

The appointment of Suffragan Bishops is somewhat simpler, since the ViS Committee and the CNC are not involved. Instead, the appointment is ultimately in the hands of the Diocesan Bishop, who must however appoint an advisory panel to conduct a formal selection process. This will also include a period of public consultation.

So how can you have your say?

• First and foremost, by responding to the public consultation. Details of this should be widely advertised; but do also keep an eye on your Diocesan website. 
• If you are a member of Diocesan Synod, do take the opportunity to put yourself forward for election to the ViS Committee when the opportunity arises—and if you know Diocesan Synod members who are STP supporters, encourage them to do so.
• Whist it probably would not go down well to lobby members of the ViS Committee or the CNC, if you do happen to know them personally—or to cross paths with them—there is, of course, nothing to prevent you from making your views known.
• Above all, please pray for the process.