Congé d'élire facts for kids
A congé d'élire (pronounced "kon-zhay del-EER") is a special permission from the King or Queen of England. This permission is given to the main church leaders, called the dean and chapter, of a cathedral church. It allows them to elect a new bishop or archbishop when one of these important church positions becomes empty in England.
History of Choosing Bishops
For a long time, the King or Queen of England had a say in who became a bishop. In early Anglo-Saxon England, the Crown would confirm the choice. They would give the new bishop his special ring and crozier (a shepherd's crook).
Disagreements about choosing bishops started between the English Crown and the Pope during the time of William Rufus. The Pope wanted to decide who became bishops in England.
Later, in 1164, King Henry II of England made rules called the Constitutions of Clarendon. These rules explained how bishops should be chosen.
Eventually, King John agreed in 1214 that bishops should be chosen freely by the deans and chapters of cathedrals. However, they still needed to ask the King's permission first. Also, the King had to agree to the choice after the election.
How the Process Works Today
This system was confirmed by later laws, especially in 1534. Here's how it works now:
- When a bishop's job becomes empty, the dean and chapter of the cathedral tell the King or Queen.
- They ask for permission to elect a new bishop.
- The King or Queen then sends them a special permission, the congé d'élire.
- This permission comes with a letter that names the person the dean and chapter must elect.
- This information is also made public in the London Gazette.
- The dean and chapter then have twelve days to elect the person named by the King or Queen.
- If they don't, the King or Queen can simply appoint someone to the empty bishop position.
- After the election, the archbishop (the head bishop of a region) must confirm the choice. This confirmation makes the election official in the church.
- If the archbishop's job in Canterbury or York is empty, a special group of bishops confirms the new archbishop's election.
At one time, some deans were also chosen using a congé d'élire. But by the time of the First World War, all deans were appointed directly by the King or Queen.
See also
- Appointment of Church of England bishops
- Religion in England
