Brown's Plan to Give Power Back to Church Receives Mixed Reception

There has been a mixed reaction from church leaders to Gordon Brown’s plan to return the power to select Bishops completely to the Church of England. If the plan is executed it will be the first time since the reign of Henry VIII that the Church has had the power to choose it’s own bishops, reports the Sunday Times.

Currently the Crown Nominations Commission selects two candidates, one of whom is then chosen by the Prime Minister. The chosen name is passed on to the monarch who then gives final approval.

Should the Chancellor of the Exchequer ever become Prime Minister his proposed move would be a significant departure from the actions of previous Prime Ministers who on occasion have become involved greatly with the selection of bishops and archbishops.