The new Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM) represents a major overhaul of the approach to discipline and complaints against members of clergy.
It replaces the longstanding Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) which has been criticised by many within the Church as slow and burdensome for both complainants and clergy.
The CCM was approved by Synod in February last year and went forward for the Parliamentary stages required before a measure can receive Royal Assent.
However, as part of its scrutiny process, the Ecclesiastical Committee of Parliament found the measure “not expedient” because of the presumption in the legislation that that hearings would be held in private except in certain circumstances.
As a result the Measure was formally reintroduced to Synod this morning where members agreed an amendment, reversing the presumption so that tribunals would sit in public except where it is agreed to be “in the interests of justice” to sit in private, or in circumstances specified in the rules.
The Bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner, who brought the amendment, explained: “Those circumstances would likely include where a child or vulnerable witness were to give evidence.”
Synod approved the amendment by a show of hands before formally giving final approval to the Measure again.
Synod voted on final approval to the amended measure as follows:
- Bishops 21 for; 0 against; 0 abstentions
- Clergy 142 for; 0 against; 3 abstentions
- Laity 149 for; 0 against; 0 abstentions