Consultation starts over Church plans for major shake-up

The Dioceses Commission proposed last year to sweep away the existing dioceses of Bradford, Ripon & Leeds and Wakefield, replacing three with one new diocese.

Following 140 written responses, the Commission has approved the plans but accepted the suggestion that the new diocese should be called Leeds, rather than Wakefield.

The new diocese would, as originally proposed, be made up of five episcopal areas – Bradford, Ripon, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Leeds. Each would be looked after by an area bishop, with the diocesan bishop also being the area bishop of Leeds.

The changes would save money on administration as there will be fewer staff. Area bishops receive less pay than full bishops. It is expected that the current diocesan bishops would be compensated for loss of office.

Consultation on the draft plans will run until April 30 next year.

Professor Michael Clarke, chairman of the Dioceses Commission, said: “Our vision of a new diocese more aligned to today’s communities, with reconfigured episcopal ministry closer to the parishes, and a streamlined administration, has clearly struck chords with many.”

One of the main charges from the previous draft is the decision to call the new diocese Leeds.

The three cathedrals of Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield will be retained with equal status; but the proposals leaves open the possibility of a future Bishop of Leeds giving Leeds Parish Church the status of a cathedral, also called a “pro-cathedral”.

Some parishes not in West or North Yorkshire that might have moved to neighbouring dioceses will now definitely remain in the new diocese.

Bishop of Ripon and Leeds John Packer said: “The Diocesan Commission have listened and made changes, and it is now important that all our parishes engage with this document and take the opportunity that this six months consultation period gives us to help shape the final Scheme.”

Bishop of Bradford Nick Baines said a single diocese had “obvious advantages”.