House of Bishops

The House of Bishops comprises one of the three Houses of the General Synod. It consists of all 44 Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England, plus the Bishop of Dover, seven suffragan bishops elected from among the total number of suffragan bishops (four from the Province of Canterbury, and three from the Province of York), and the Bishop to the Forces. The three Provincial Episcopal Visitors can also attend and speak when the House meets separately, but they do not having voting rights (unless they are elected to the House as a suffragan bishop).

Meetings of the House

In addition to meeting as part of the General Synod, the House of Bishops meets twice a year in private session. These meetings are timed to precede sessions of the General Synod by about six to eight weeks. A Summary of Decisions from these meetings is normally published at the time that papers are circulated for the following session of General Synod.

The House’s agendas range widely reflecting matters relating to the exercise of episcope in the Church, but it has a special role under Article 7 of the Constitution of the General Synod for matters relating to doctrine and liturgy.

The House of Bishops’ Standing Committee

The House has a Standing Committee which meets three times a year under the Chairmanship of the Archbishop of York. This Committee includes the two bishops elected as members of the Archbishops’ Council (the Bishops of Leicester and Norwich); one bishop from among the four elected as Church Commissioners (the Bishop of London); the bishop elected on to the Business Committee (the Bishop of Basingstoke); one bishop elected on to it by the House (the Bishop of Gloucester); and a further bishop appointed by the Archbishops (the Bishop of Liverpool).

As well as preparing agendas for the House’s meetings, it also deals with other matters on the House’s behalf.

Other Sub-Committees / Panels of the House

Under the umbrella of the House, there are a number of sub-groups, including:

• The CME Committee – chaired by the Bishop of Newcastle, working closely with the Archbishops’ Adviser for Bishops’ Ministry

• The Environmental Group – chaired by the Bishop of London

• The Europe Panel – [chair to be appointed]

• The Rural Bishops’ Panel – chaired by the Bishop of Hereford

• The Theological Group – chaired by the Bishop of Rochester

• The Urban Bishops’ Panel – chaired by the Bishop of Hulme

A number of time-limited Working Parties or Sub-Groups may also be set up from time to time to consider particular matters on behalf of the House.

All diocesan and suffragan bishops meet annually. This College of Bishops’ Meeting is normally held residentially over 72 hours in mid-September.  A further 24 hour residential meeting of diocesan bishops together with the archbishops is held shortly after Easter. There are also eight regional groups of bishops, which include all diocesans and suffragans within the region. These meet independently of the House two / three times a year, and are convened by a bishop within the region.

Administration

The House is serviced by staff from the Central Secretariat in Church House, Westminster, as follows:

• Jonathan Neil-Smith, Secretary to the House (020 7898 1373, email jonathan.neil-smith@c-of-e.org.uk)

• Jane Melrose, Assistant Secretary (020 7898 1379, email jane.melrose@c-of-e.org.uk)

• Frances Arnold, Executive Officer (020 7898 1372, email frances.arnold@c-of-e.org.uk)

• Dr Martin Davie, Theological Consultant (020 7898 1488, email martin.davie@c-of-e.org.uk)