The Church of England’s General Synod has given its final approval to a complete overhaul of clergy discipline, known as the Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM).
Speaking on Wednesday, the Archbishop of York described the new measure as “vitally important” for ensuring the denomination’s processes are “fit for purpose.”
He explained: “These are changes we need to make. These are changes which would have helped us in the past and will help us build a much better future. We won’t have got it all right. There will still be things to learn, but this is a measure that has been drawn out of experience.”
The CCM is designed to replace the discredited Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM), which has been criticised for unjustly treating both complainants and respondents and for being overly legalistic, slow, and burdensome for both complainants and clergy.
The new measure introduces a three-tiered system for handling complaints, ranging from informal resolutions to formal investigations. Allegations of misconduct will be handled regionally by an assessor, with serious cases referred to a central team for potential tribunal proceedings.
Key reforms include allowing clergy to refer themselves for review, provisions for vulnerable individuals to have a representative bring complaints on their behalf, and the introduction of interim restriction orders for lower-level misconduct. The CCM also reintroduces the ability to depose a priest from Holy Orders, addressing a recommendation made by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
In 2020, IICSA recommended that the Church of England reinstate defrocking, emphasising its symbolic importance, particularly for survivors of abuse. The term "defrocking" refers to the ritual removal of vestments worn by clergy, such as priests, bishops, and monks.
The CCM also includes measures to prevent vexatious or malicious complaints, with restraining orders being applied to individuals who make such complaints. Additionally, the rule requiring complaints of serious misconduct to be made within one year will be abolished.
Archbishop Stephen expressed gratitude to those involved in drafting the measure, saying it has helped create a process that is “more robust, clearer, easier to use, and now will deal with grievances as well as serious misconduct.”
The plans were put to a vote across all houses—the House of Bishops, the House of Laity, and the House of Clergy—with unanimous approval in each, securing a simple majority in all houses.
Before the final vote, amendments were approved with His Majesty’s permission, extending the Measure to clergy in Royal Peculiars like Westminster Abbey and St George’s Windsor.
The Measure now moves to Parliamentary stages and Royal Assent, with Rules to be presented in July and a Code of Practice finalised afterwards. It could take effect by early 2026.