Soprano singing Bishop of Coventry takes seat on red benches in the House of Lords
The Rt Rev Sophie Jelley was introduced to the House of Lords in a short ceremony where she swore the oath of allegiance to the King.
Last updated 4th Sep 2025
A senior bishop and soprano singer has taken her seat in the House of Lords.
The Rt Rev Sophie Jelley was introduced to the upper chamber in a short ceremony where she swore the oath of allegiance to the King.
The Bishop of Coventry joins the Lords Spiritual, who have 26 places reserved in the unelected house for senior Church of England bishops, including the archbishops of Canterbury and York.
She was supported by the Bishop of London and the Bishop of Sheffield.
The 53-year-old was ordained in 1997 and served as curate in Shipley before spending three years in Uganda with the Church Mission Society.
On her return, she went on to hold a series of roles in the church, including serving as a vicar in Burgess Hill and more recently as the Bishop of Doncaster.
The keen runner, who is married with three grown up children, also plays the violin and viola.