Sentamu refers super-diocese decision to Synod

Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, Sheffield and Blackburn dioceses have voted in favour of the reorganisation of the Church of England but the plans were referred to the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, after Wakefield voted against the decision.

Yesterday the Archbishop announced he had decided the scheme will be put to the General Synod saying: “The General Synod will now have the opportunity to debate and decide whether these proposals should be progressed.

“It does not follow from my decision to refer this matter that the draft scheme will be approved – what it does mean is that rather than the process coming to an end, the General Synod will be able to form its own view and hear and assess the arguments that will no doubt be put to it from a range of perspectives.”

Under the recommendations, the three existing dioceses of Ripon and Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield would be dissolved and a new diocese would be created, led by a diocesan bishop based in Leeds and divided into five areas – Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Ripon and Wakefield.

Critics have previously complained the proposed new set-up will be dominated by Leeds and others believe the changes are financially-driven.

Once fully established, the net savings in revenue costs will be about £800,000 a year.

The bishops of Bradford and Ripon and Leeds have expressed support for the plans but the Bishop of Wakefield, Stephen Platten, has expressed reservations, arguing that bigger is not always better. Individual parishes have also expressed serious concerns.

Yesterday Bishop Platten said: “It is good that the wider church has the opportunity to discuss the proposals of the Dioceses Commission.

“The representatives of Wakefield in General Synod look forward to an open debate in which, for the first time, the principles and vision underpinning this scheme, and the priorities for the wider view of the mission of the Church of England in Yorkshire, can be considered.”

The Bishop of Bradford, Nick Baines, said: “I am pleased that the Archbishop is asking the wider church through the General Synod to debate this matter.

“It is vital that the church has vision and can handle wise change.”

The scheme is expected to be debated at Synod this July and if it backs the proposals, the new diocese could be established by Easter, 2014. The dioceses of Blackburn and Sheffield have had a say, because their boundaries will be affected.