Ecclesiastical Committee
There shall be a Standing Committee of the Court on Ecclesiastical matters which shall discharge the functions prescribed for it by the Church Legislation Procedure Act 1993.
Call for Evidence
Views sought on the Church Legislation Procedure:
Background:
In January 2025, Tynwald received the Ecclesiastical Committee of Tynwald Introductory Report on the Role of the Committee in the Church Legislation Procedure [PP 2024/0167] and noted an intention to review this area.
An interim report is due before the October 2025 sitting, advising of a delay in reporting and ongoing evidence collation.
What is it about?
The Church Legislation Procedure Act 1993 (of Tynwald) enables the Diocese of Sodor and Man (Diocesan Synod) to pass Measures dealing with any matter concerning the Church in the Island.
Presently, the Ecclesiastical Committee of Tynwald reviews draft Church Measures, and prepares a report to Tynwald advising whether it recommends that they be presented for Royal Assent.
The Committee is part of a system for enacting legislation relating to the Church of England in the Isle of Man. Such legislation continues to be necessary because the Church of England is the established church in England, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, and changes in the rules for its structure and governance usually involve a change in statute or common law.
What is proposed?
The Committee is reviewing the procedure as set out in statute under the Church Legislation Procedure Act 1993.
As stated in their Introductory Report, the Committee wish to ascertain the merits, or otherwise, of potentially doing things differently but acknowledge that any significant updates to the process may ultimately require legislative change in the long term, as the current procedure is prescribed in statute.
The Committee also note the 2002 Report of the Select Committee on the Reduction of Standing Committees of Tynwald, which included an examination of the Ecclesiastical Committee, and the recommendation that:
5.1 (c) Ecclesiastical Committee –
This committee, Government, and the Bishop, should consider and report on the future existence and remit of the committee. [1]
This call for evidence is made alongside targeted engagement with relevant stakeholders, seeking relevant contributions and views.
The members of the committee are Paul Craine MLC (Chair), Andrew Smith MHK and Hon Clare Barber MHK.
Submit your views:
The deadline for submissions is Friday 31 October 2025, these can be emailed to committees@tynwald.org.im or addressed to:
Clerk to the Ecclesiastical Committee
Legislative Buildings,
Douglas,
IM1 3PW
[1] PP 2002-NN-0010, Report of the Select Committee on the Reduction of Standing Committees of Tynwald, November 2002, p. 12
Latest News
Committee Members
The Committee reserves the right to publish any evidence sent to it in the absence of any agreement that the evidence will be confidential.
Contact the Committee
For enquiries or to submit written evidence please contact:
Carlos Phillips
Contact details for a Committee of Tynwald
Clerk to the Committee
Legislative Buildings
Finch Road
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685500
Email: committees@tynwald.org.im
Committee Remit
Tynwald Standing Orders
2. Ecclesiastical Committee
2.1 There shall be a Standing Committee of the Court on Ecclesiastical matters which shall discharge the functions prescribed for it by the Church Legislation Procedure Act 1993.
2.2 The Committee shall be composed of three Members.