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- Archbishop takes seat in House of Lords »
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Archbishop takes seat in House of Lords
Wednesday 12 March 2003
Archbishops of Canterbury sit on the Bishops bench in the House of Lords, the UK's Upper Parliamentary chamber. Dr Williams took his seat in the House some three weeks after his Enthronement.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams was introduced in the House of Lords today.
The introduction took place at the start of the afternoon's business after prayers had been said by the Bishop of Derby. Dr Williams processed into the House, escorted by his two supporters - the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres and the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Michael Turnbull.
After the reading of a mandate, the Archbishop took the necessary oath, shook hands with the Lord Chancellor and took his seat on the bench traditionally assigned to the Lords Spiritual.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is a member of the House of Lords by virtue of his Office. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester, and the 21 longest serving diocesan Bishops of the Church of England comprise the Lords Spiritual.
Dr Williams, who was previously Archbishop of Wales, has not previously served as a member of the House of Lords.