Royal official is in charge of the closet

There we were, idly looking for a picture of the Bishop of Manchester, as you do, when we came across this little gem on Wikipedia.

There is, according to lovely WP, a bishop of the Church of England who luxuriates in the title of Clerk of the Closet.

What does he do? Well, you might think he keeps a neat list of all the gays who are priests and bishops and makes sure nobody finds out the truth.

Given that out gay Bishop Gene Robinson commented last week that if all the gays left the C of E en masse it would have to shut up shop entirely, that must be one hell of a long list.

It turns out, in fact, that the Clerk of the Closet dates from 1437. Well, the office does, not the present incumbent.

"He is responsible for advising the Private Secretary to the Sovereign on the names for candidates to fill vacancies in the Roll of Chaplains to the Sovereign," WP says, and they are always correct on such matters.

"He presents Bishops for Homage to the Sovereign; examines any theological books to be presented to the Sovereign; and preaches annually in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. He receives a salary of £7 a year."

Isn't that less than the national minimum wage?

Come on your Majesty, you can afford a bit more than that!

Bishops cost money - what with the lovely dresses, the jewellery and what not.

The present Clerk of the Closet, the Bishop of Guildford, isn't even entitled to seat in the House of Lords. Boo. Who would be a bishop these days?


The Right Reverend Christopher Hill, Lord Bishop of Guildford, Clerk of the Closet.