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.