Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011

16 Power of bishop to order special visitation

(1) Subject to subsection (2), where it appears to a bishop, after complying with section 15 with respect to the members of a Chapter, that the Chapter has committed or is intending to commit an act mentioned in that section, he shall within such period as may be prescribed order a special visitation under this section in respect of the cathedral church for the purpose of inquiring into the matter in question; and, if he does so, he shall cause a written statement of his reasons for ordering the visitation to be sent to the Chapter.

(2) It shall not be necessary for a bishop to order a special visitation under this section in respect of any act if—

(a) he is satisfied that the Chapter intends to make an application for approval of that act under this Measure; or

(b) the Chapter has made such an application and the application has not been refused; or

(c) he considers that there are exceptional reasons for not doing so.

(3) Without prejudice to any rule of law as to the effect of episcopal visitations, where a special visitation under this section is ordered by a bishop in respect of a cathedral church, the Chapter of the cathedral shall have no power to act as such with regard to the matter under inquiry without the prior approval in writing of the bishop.

(4) A special visitation under this section shall not be treated as an episcopal visitation for the purposes of any provision contained in the constitution and statutes of the cathedral church restricting the ordering of such visitations.