Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 (No. 2)

2 Bishops

(1) A bishop of a diocese in office at the relevant date may make any one or more of the following declarations—

(a) that a woman is not to be ordained within the diocese to the office of priest; or

(b) that a woman is not to be instituted or licensed to the office of incumbent or priest-in-charge of a benefice, or of team vicar for a benefice, within the diocese; or

(c) that a woman is not to be given a licence or permission to officiate as a priest within the diocese.

(2) A declaration by a bishop under subsection (1) above shall be contained in a written notice signed by him.

(3) A bishop who has made a declaration under subsection (1) above may by written notice signed by him withdraw the declaration.

(4) A copy of any notice given under subsection (2) or (3) above shall be sent to the following—

(a) Her Majesty;

(b) the Duke of Cornwall;

(c) the Lord Chancellor;

(d) the archbishop of the province concerned;

(e) the secretary of the diocesan synod of the diocese concerned;

(f) the registrar of the province concerned;

(g) the registrar of the diocese concerned;

(h) the designated officer for the diocese concerned, within the meaning of section 7(5) of the [1986 No.3.] Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986.

(5) Where the bishop of a diocese who has made a declaration under subsection (1) above and not withdrawn it ceases to hold that office, the declaration shall continue to be in force until the expiry of a period of six months beginning with the date on which another person becomes the bishop of that diocese.

(6) Where a declaration by a bishop under this section is in force, a bishop discharging any functions of the bishop of the diocese (including functions by virtue of an instrument under section 10 of the [1978 No.1.] Dioceses Measure 1978 or a scheme under section 11 of that Measure) shall not act in contravention of the declaration.

(7) A declaration under subsection (1)(c) above shall not prevent a woman from being allowed under any Canon of the Church of England to officiate as a priest in a church or chapel for one period of not more than seven days in any period of three months without reference to the bishop or other Ordinary.

(8) In this section “relevant date” means the date on which the Canon enabling a woman to be ordained to the office of priest is promulged.