Home / Lifestyle / Coventry's First Female Bishop Sworn into House of Lords
Coventry's First Female Bishop Sworn into House of Lords
5 Sep
Summary
- Coventry's first female bishop, Sophie Jelley, takes seat in House of Lords
- Jelley was ordained in 1997 and previously served as Bishop of Doncaster
- Jelley is a keen runner, soprano singer, and plays violin and viola
In a historic move, the new Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Sophie Jelley, has taken her seat on the red benches of the House of Lords. This ceremony, which took place on September 5th, 2025, saw Bishop Jelley swear the oath of allegiance to the King.
Jelley, who was installed as Coventry's first female bishop back in February, officially began her work in the city in June. She has now joined the Lords Spiritual, a group of 26 senior Church of England bishops who hold reserved places in the unelected House of Lords.
Prior to her appointment in Coventry, the 53-year-old Jelley served as the Bishop of Doncaster. She was ordained as a priest in 1997 and has held a variety of roles within the church, including a stint in Uganda with the Church Mission Society.
In addition to her religious duties, Bishop Jelley is known for her diverse interests and talents. She is an avid runner and a skilled musician, playing the violin, viola, and singing as a soprano. Jelley is also married with three children.
