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About us: Appointment of the next Bishop of London

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When the former Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, retired in early 2017, the ‘See of London’ become vacant.

Vacancy in See Committee

The Vacancy in See Committee is then convened by the Dean of St Paul’s. The Vacancy in See Committee is responsible for carrying out consultations across the Diocese, at parish, deanery, Area and individual levels. The outcome of these consultations inform the Vacancy in See Committee in the drafting of a ‘statement of needs’ for the desired profile of the next Bishop of London.

Vision and values

The London Diocesan Bishop’s Council adopted a ‘Values Statement’ in September 2016. The statement seeks to spell out something of the ethos and culture of the Diocese of London.

FileAction
Statement of Needs for the new Bishop of LondonDownload
Profile of the Diocese of LondonDownload
Profile of the Diocese of London (text only version)Download

Crown Nominations Commission

The work of the Vacancy in See Committee is passed on to the Crown Nominations Commission, the body responsible for the process for appointing bishops in the Church of England. The Vacancy in See Committee elects six of its members to the Crown Nominations Commission as diocesan representatives.

The Archbishops’ Appointments Secretary and the Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary also carry out consultations to give the public opportunities to comment on the needs of the Diocese or the wider Church, or to propose candidates.

The Crown Nominations Commission then meets on several occasions to agree the job description for the new bishop, to draw up a shortlist of candidates and to agree the interview process. After the interview process, the Crown Nominations Commission provides two names to the Archbishop of Canterbury, clearly indicating a preference between the two candidates.

Archbishop, Prime Minister and Her Majesty the Queen

The Archbishop then writes to the Prime Minister, submitting the two names. The Prime Minster invites the candidate concerned to accept the nomination. Once a candidate has agreed to accept, the Prime Minister advises the Sovereign, who formally nominates him or her to the See.

Timetable

Date Body(ies) Activity
January-May PCCs, deaneries, Areas and individuals Consultations and responses to diocesan consultation paper
25 March First meeting of ViSC Worship & introductions
Initial consultation
Appoint drafting group and agree process
Elect deputy chair
6 May Second meeting of ViSC Unconscious bias training
Outline draft of Statement from drafting group
Further consultation material
Discussion about nominations for CNC and distribution of nomination forms
25 June Public consultation Members of the public invited to comment on the needs of the Diocese or the wider Church, or to propose candidates, by 30 June
10 June Main meeting of ViSC Discussion with Archbishops’ and Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretaries
Substantial draft of Statement from drafting group
Agree final draft of Statement (or process for it)
Election of six members for Crown Nominations Commission (see results)
June/July Crown Nominations Commission Appointments Secretaries’ consultations
30 June Public consultation Members of the public are invited to write to any of the elected members to express a view or to suggest names by 31 July
September Crown Nominations Commission Agree job description for Bishop of London
Early November Crown Nominations Commission Shortlist and agree interview process
Late November Crown Nominations Commission Interviews and appointment
Health and safeguarding checks
January 2018 (maybe) Prime Minister’s Office Announcement of new appointment
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