STORY
The Government has introduced legislation intended to remove the legal restrictions preventing Roman Catholic and Jewish prime ministers from advising the monarch about senior Church of England appointments. The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill was formally presented to Parliament on 15 September.
Section 18 of the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 prevents a Roman Catholic office holder from advising the Crown directly or indirectly on appointments within the established Church. Legislation passed in 1858 contains a corresponding restriction affecting Jewish office holders. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has temporarily transferred responsibility for Church appointments to Lord Chancellor Alex Norris (in photo).
The change is expected to have limited practical effect because the Church of England normally submits one approved candidate for each vacancy, leaving the prime minister with a largely formal role. The Bill has only begun its parliamentary passage and has not yet become law, but its introduction means the Government’s proposal has moved beyond an announcement into formal legislation.