MPs and peers who sit on Parliament's Ecclesiastical Committee have criticised the Church of England’s plans to automatically hold clergy disciplinary hearings in private.
The proposals for church courts to be held in secret – unless a public hearing is requested by the defendant – form part of the new Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM), which replaces the much-criticised Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM). However, critics argue that holding the hearings in private undermines transparency and public trust, especially in cases of serious allegations.
The comments came during a meeting between the Ecclesiastical Committee and the Deputy Legal Adviser for the General Synod, Edward Dobson, Canon Kate Wharton, and the Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner.
Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who is also a Christian, said most secular tribunals are held in public, and that implementing private hearings would leave the Church of England out of step.
Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, the Chair of the Committee, told the Church representatives: “To look at sitting in public, because that’s an issue which a number of people have raised, and I share the concern.”
However, Edward Dobson said the General Synod had previously rejected an amendment for public hearings because “it was felt very strongly that the interests of children in particular, vulnerable adults, and those giving evidence were best met – and evidence was achieved best – with a broad confidentiality.”
While the CCM received final approval from the General Synod in February, it must be declared ‘expedient’ by the Ecclesiastical Committee before it can be formally put to both Houses of Parliament.
The Committee will now meet in private to consider whether to deem the CCM 'expedient'.