The 26 bishops in the House of Lords include the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester. The remaining 21 are the most senior diocesan bishops by length of service.
The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, will be introduced to the House of Lords on 3 November by Bishop Stephen Platten of Wakefield and Bishop John Packer of Ripon and Leeds.
Later in the month the new Lord Spiritual will introduce his episcopal neighbour, the Bishop of Hereford to the Upper House. The Rt Rev Anthony Priddis will be introduced on 24 November by the Bishop of Lichfield and the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch. Each of them will take their turn as ‘Duty Bishop’ during 2010, leading prayers and taking part in debates when the House is sitting.
The Bishop of Lichfield said he was glad to be able to represent the interests of the West Midlands, especially the poorer parts, which he said were under-represented in the Lords.
“Like many people I have often wondered if having bishops in Parliament is a little antiquated and takes bishops away from their dioceses; so I have been surprised at the strength of conviction from people of other faiths and none who have said to me that they value the contribution of the bishops in the Lords and that this is part of the constitution which should not be meddled with," he said.
He continued: “Christian leaders have played an active role in parliament since at least the time when the Witans, consulted by Saxon Kings, were attended by religious leaders. The very name ‘Westminster’ reminds us of the Christian origins of our constitution, and in each generation Christian leaders have been active in contributing to our laws and advancing the values which underpin them.
"That of course does not decide the question of how in the 21st century Christians should best contribute in both Houses of Parliament. I may have an opinion on that in a year’s time!”
