Most CofE priests back reform to establishment and bishops in the Lords

The Times has conducted the first major survey of Anglican priests since 2014 and this has revealed most want change to the systems of establishment and bishops in the House of Lords. Humanists UK welcomes the findings and urges that our constitutional setup is reformed so that the state affords equal treatment to all regardless of religion or belief.

The poll found that 53% of priests said that the establishment of the Church of England should be reviewed, up from 41% when the question was last asked in 2014. Notably, a distinct minority of priests (11.6%) said the church should be formally disestablished. In addition, 60% of priests backed reform to the automatic right for bishops to sit in the House of Lords, where they enjoy seating, speaking, and consultation privileges over others.

The 2019 British Social Attitudes Survey shows that the share of British adults belonging to no religion now stands at 53%, with just 12% identifying as Anglican. No state in Europe has such a religious setup as the UK in terms of law and public policy, while having such a non-religious population.

Cross-party MPs recently slammed the automatic right for bishops to sit in the House of Lords in a Westminster Hall debate organised by All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group Chair Tommy Sheppard MP.  This followed a report of the Group, Time for Reflection, which recommended solutions to make the UK Parliament inclusive of all regardless of religion or belief. This included removing the automatic right for bishops to sit in the House of Lords and ending the practice of parliamentary prayers before the start of business. 

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented:

‘The current situation with regard to the bishops is unfair, undemocratic and unjustified, as even a majority of clergy now agree. While this poll of priests suggests alternative routes to reform, we know from numerous polls that the public in general support a complete end to automatic places for bishops in the House of Lords. That is the course that should be pursued.’

Beyond this, the poll touched on wider pressing questions for the church. It found that priests’ support for assisted dying reform has increased from 22% to over a third (36%) since 2014. This remains in stark contrast to those who identify as Anglican who are overwhelmingly supportive of compassionate reform. Over two-thirds of priests called for a ban for conversion therapy, with nearly 20% opposed.