Bishops spend time reflecting on interfaith relationships, safeguarding and increasing vocations to ordained ministry among other topics at informal meeting of House members.
Following the dissolution of General Synod in July, the House of Bishops, as a house of the General Synod, is dissolved until November 17. In its absence a ‘Bishops’ Meeting’, at the invitation of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, took place in person from Monday October 12 to Wednesday October 14.
The meeting did not handle any of the formal business which has to be dealt with by the synodical House, such as approving formal guidance, but focussed on discussion of emerging work and matters of common concern across the Church.
In a session on interfaith relationships in local communities, the Bishops shared positive stories from their dioceses of working together with other faith representatives, as well as the particular concerns of their own local communities. They agreed on the vital importance of relationship building and enabling others to have difficult conversations, and they examined how the Church could work for the common good at a time of increased societal division.
The meeting heard an update on ongoing work on Church of England safeguarding. It began by noting the significant improvement in safeguarding provision and training over the past 15 years and recognising the enormous culture change in the Church during that period. Attendees heard that since 2016 there have been 850,000 instances of people being trained in safeguarding, and consistency of provision and knowledge has improved significantly across the Church.
Bishop Joanne Grenfell gave an update on the work being done by the Safeguarding Structures Programme Board. The Bishops also heard an update from Robert Springett, lead advocate Bishop for safeguarding, on the development of the Managing Safeguarding Allegations and Concerns Code of Practice and on the Church of England Redress Scheme.
The Bishops discussed the work being undertaken on the governance and culture of the House of Bishops. Topics included relationships and behaviours, how to work well together and encourage a diversity of voices as well as any practical changes needed to help increase Standing Committee transparency.