Bishop takes seat in the House of Lords
-18/3/04
The Bishop of Norwich has claimed his seat on the spiritual benches in the House of Lords.
Bisho
Bishop takes seat in the House of Lords
-18/3/04
The Bishop of Norwich has claimed his seat on the spiritual benches in the House of Lords.
Bishop Graham became the 26th member of the congregation of Anglican clerics at Westminster, chosen according to seniority.
The Rt Rev Graham James, introduced to the House by the bishops of London and Newcastle, took the traditional oath of allegiance to the crown and then shook the hand of the Lord Chancellor seated on the Woolsack.
As all Bishops do, he will sit on the Government’s side of the House of Lords, rather than with the independent cross bench peers or the opposition.
Afterwards, at a reception of welcome hosted by Education Secretary Charles Clarke the new parliamentarian said he would be leading prayers in the upper house for three weeks each year.
ìI aim to be a regular attender, hoping to speak on issues such as rural affairs and medical ethics which are particularly dear to my heart,î he added.
Bishop Graham takes may be one of the last bishops to enter the upper house as currently constituted.
Bishop takes seat in the House of Lords
-18/3/04
The Bishop of Norwich has claimed his seat on the spiritual benches in the House of Lords.
Bishop Graham became the 26th member of the congregation of Anglican clerics at Westminster, chosen according to seniority.
The Rt Rev Graham James, introduced to the House by the bishops of London and Newcastle, took the traditional oath of allegiance to the crown and then shook the hand of the Lord Chancellor seated on the Woolsack.
As all Bishops do, he will sit on the Government’s side of the House of Lords, rather than with the independent cross bench peers or the opposition.
Afterwards, at a reception of welcome hosted by Education Secretary Charles Clarke the new parliamentarian said he would be leading prayers in the upper house for three weeks each year.
ìI aim to be a regular attender, hoping to speak on issues such as rural affairs and medical ethics which are particularly dear to my heart,î he added.
Bishop Graham takes may be one of the last bishops to enter the upper house as currently constituted.