Clergy Discipline Measure 2003

37 Suspension of bishop or archbishop during proceedings

(1) Where—

(a) a complaint in writing is made under section 10(1) above against a bishop or archbishop, or

(b) a bishop or archbishop is arrested on suspicion of committing a criminal offence,

the archbishop of the province in which the bishop holds office or, in the case of an archbishop, the other archbishop, may with the consent of the two most senior diocesan bishops in that province or the province of the other archbishop, as the case may be, by notice in writing suspend him from exercising any right or duty of or incidental to his office:

Provided that, in the case of a complaint made as aforesaid, the bishop or archbishop shall not be suspended under this subsection unless and until the complaint falls to be considered under section 12(1) above.

(2) The archbishop may at any time, by notice in writing served on the bishop or archbishop concerned, revoke a notice of suspension served under subsection (1) above.

(3) Where a notice of suspension is served under subsection (1) above the archbishop may, after consultation with the two most senior diocesan bishops of his province, make such arrangements as he thinks fit for the ministrations of the diocese or province concerned while the suspension remains in force.

(4) While a notice of suspension under subsection (1) above remains in force in relation to a bishop or archbishop he shall not interfere with any person performing functions in pursuance of arrangements made under subsection (3) above.

(5) In this section “bishop” means any diocesan bishop, any suffragan bishop or any other bishop.

(6) Subsections (3) and (6) of section 36 above shall apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that section.