Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Natascha Engel and Tony Baldry

Tuesday 26th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab)]

1. What recent representations the Church Commissioners have received on the criteria for the appointment of bishops in the Church of England; and if he will make a statement.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Tony Baldry)]

The canons require that anyone to be considered and consecrated as a bishop at present has to be male and over 30.

[Natascha Engel]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer. The Archbishop of Canterbury has recently written a newspaper article saying that it is okay to be a gay bishop as long as one is celibate. Where does the Church of England stand on people in civil partnerships? If they are celibate, are they okay to be bishops too?