Church’s mission unchanged, says bishop as Isle of Man moves to finish voting rights

The Isle of Man has come a step closer to removing the voting rights of the local bishop after a vote on a constitutional bill within the Tynwald.

The Constitution Bill would allow the Bishop of Sodor and Man to retain their seats on the Isle of Man’s Legislative Council and Tynwald Court but remove their right to vote. 

The private member’s bill was brought forward by Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper in 2023. It proposes that only elected officials be allowed to vote within the legislature. A previous proposal to remove the bishop’s seat entirely was rejected.

The Bishop of Sodor and Man, Tricia Hillas, is against the removal of her voting right. Speaking through the debate, she said that the change would put democracy and the longer term of the diocese at “risk”. 

She told members: “The bill argues for the retention of the bishop’s seat but to remove the vote. However, when contributions are separated from responsibility and accountability, democracy is undermined, and contribution simply becomes commentary.”

An amendment to the bill proposes that the bishop’s voting rights come to an end five years after the laws receives Royal Assent, or when she leaves office, whichever comes first. 

The amendment was approved by the Legislative Council however the draft laws must now return to the House of Keys for a final vote. If approved, it’ll not change into law until it receives Royal Assent. 

In a pastoral letter to her diocese, Bishop Hillas asked for prayers. 

“This is a major development in our Island’s life as an entire and touches deeply upon the heritage and identity of this Diocese. It is correct that we acknowledge the burden of this moment and the range of feelings it could evoke amongst us,” she said. 

“I want to say clearly that I’m not disheartened, nor perturbed. Our confidence doesn’t rest in constitutional arrangements, roles, or votes, but within the faithfulness of God who has guided His people through all ages.

“The way forward for the diocese is a matter for prayerful and thoughtful reflection and we must always not shrink back from those questions but we accomplish that trusting in God’s continuing call and purposes.”

She said that the Church had made a major contribution to the “cultural, spiritual, and communal life” of the island and that it remained committed to its mission of following Christ and serving others.

“Whatever may come of discussions concerning the constitutional place of the Bishop, the mission of the Church stays unchanged. We are here to proclaim the Kingdom of God, to hunt justice, to embody mercy, and to share hope,” she said.