New System For Choosing Bishops

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30895, 30 October 1965, Page 15

New System For Choosing Bishops

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LONDON. October 29. The Church of England is preparing to make big changes in the system of appointing its bishops, says the “Dailv Express.” A commission under Lord Howick recently proposed limited alterations, but they are not enough. The commission’s work is to be scrapped, md the church plans to start igain through a new one Next month th? Church’s ’arliament the Church Asiembly. will be asked to approve dismissal of the present >nwn Appointments Commitee A standing com mi tee says hat many of the assembly's 42 lumbers want the church

voice in appointing its bishops. At present the name of a new diocesan bishop is put forward by the Prime Minister of the day. who may be an athiest. Church leaders now realise that this system is disliked 'both by Anglicans and by the •Methodists who are moving towards reunion with the Church of England in a few years. In the mind of church leaders is the possibility of some change in the House of Lords. There is a feeling that the Lords Spiritual should include some representatives of the Free Churches. Although they appointed the Howick commission, the Archbishops of both Canterbury and York are in favour of dropping its recommendations and beginning afresh.