by Tola Mbakwe, Premier
A major overhaul of the Church of England’s clergy discipline system has cleared its final parliamentary stage and is now set to become law.
The Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM), which will replace the existing Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM), has passed through the House of Lords and is expected to receive Royal Assent.
The development marks the final step in a reform process that began several years ago and follows concerns raised by Parliament earlier this year over transparency in clergy disciplinary proceedings.
The CCM introduces a new framework for handling complaints against clergy, with cases categorised as grievances, misconduct or serious misconduct. Each category will be subject to its own investigative process.
Speaking during the measure’s passage through the House of Lords on Wednesday, Rt Rev David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, described the legislation as a “vital part of the Church of England’s ongoing reform of clergy discipline and safeguarding”.
He said the existing disciplinary process had been widely criticised as “painfully slow” and acknowledged that it “does not serve complainants well”.
The bishop also said the current system can leave clergy facing complaints in “prolonged anxiety and limbo, worried they will lose their house and job”.
Among the most significant changes is the return of powers to remove clergy from holy orders for the most serious cases of misconduct.