Anglican Diocese of Leeds

Formation

Review and 2010 report

The Dioceses Commission (as established in a new form in 2008), began its review of the dioceses of Yorkshire (York, Ripon & Leeds, Wakefield, Sheffield and Bradford) on the 2009 recommendation of the House of Bishops. The review group considered the best ways for the Church of England in Yorkshire to serve the Church's mission to those communities. The group quickly decided that the dioceses of York and of Sheffield would need little adjustment, so focused on the dioceses in West Yorkshire and The Dales.

In its first report, published December 2010, the Commission suggested one large diocese covering the area currently covered by the dioceses of Ripon & Leeds, of Wakefield and of Bradford, but divided into five episcopal areas, each with an area bishop (using the "area model" used elsewhere, e.g. the Diocese of London). Additionally, one of those five area bishops would also be the diocesan bishop over the new diocese. The five areas (and bishops) suggested were based on considerations including civic communities and established foci of local church activity. Those areas are: Ripon, Wakefield, Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield. Creating this diocese and area system would involve completely dissolving the existing diocesan sees, renaming the two existing suffragan sees and creating a new diocesan see and two more suffragan sees.

The Archdeaconry of Richmond would expand into the current Archdeaconry of Craven (Diocese of Bradford) and be renamed the Archdeaconry of Richmond and Craven, and would form the episcopal area of Ripon, while the Archdeaconry of Halifax would form the episcopal area of Huddersfield. The Leeds episcopal area would consist the Archdeaconry of Leeds, the Bradford area the Archdeaconry of Bradford and the Wakefield area the Archdeaconry of Pontefract.

In the 2010 report, a newly created bishop of Wakefield would have been the diocesan bishop, and the diocese called the Diocese of Wakefield. Wakefield Cathedral would have been the "principal cathedral", while Bradford and Ripon Cathedrals would have remained as cathedrals of the diocese, with "seat[s] of honour" for their respective area bishops. The current colleges of the cathedrals would merge into one diocesan college, with the dean of Wakefield as dean and the deans of Bradford and of Ripon would become vice-deans of that college.

Draft scheme

Following extensive consultation with the three dioceses and other interested parties, the commission issued a second report and Draft Reorganisation Scheme in October 2011. The draft scheme featured a few alterations from the initial report:

• As the largest and most populous city in the area, it was generally felt that Leeds should be the diocesan see. Thus, the new diocese would be the Diocese of Leeds and its diocesan bishop the bishop of Leeds.
• Accordingly, none of the three cathedrals would be a "principal cathedral". Rather, they would have equal status, with a merged college led by a presiding dean (initially the senior one by tenure – i.e. Jonathan Greener, Dean of Wakefield – but later the one appointed by the diocesan bishop), while each cathedral's dean would remain in charge of his or her own cathedral.
• Additionally, Leeds Minster would become the pro-cathedral for the new diocese if and when the diocesan bishop decided. The governance of that church would not change, but the rector would become a canon of the diocesan college.

It was announced on 28 September 2012 that the commission had resolved, having considered all responses to its public consultation, to go ahead with the draft scheme, which would be discussed and voted upon at the three diocesan synods.

2013 diocesan votes and creation

The existing diocesan synods of the dioceses of Bradford, of Ripon and Leeds and of Wakefield voted on the proposed scheme on 2 March 2013. The Bradford and Ripon & Leeds diocesan synods voted in favour of the proposals, while Wakefield's did not; however, the scheme could go before the General Synod of the Church of England without all three dioceses' approval according to the discretion of the archbishop of York. On 9 May 2013, the archbishop announced that he had instructed the chair of the Dioceses Commission to set the Draft Scheme before General Synod for consideration (i.e. debate and voting.)

The proposal was approved on 8 July 2013 by the General Synod. The new diocese was created on Easter Day, 20 April 2014, becoming the first new diocese in the Church of England since 1929 and the largest diocese in England by area, covering 2425 sqmi and 2.3million people, served by 656 churches.

2017 deanery reorganisations

Effective 1 January 2017, several of the diocese's deaneries were reorganised. Among these were all the deaneries of the Bradford archdeaconry, which were entirely redrawn from five into four, and the deaneries of Bowland and of Ewecross (in Richmond and Craven archdeaconry), both of which had lost parishes in the diocese's formation, merged into one deanery (Bowland and Ewecross).

Organisation

The diocese (which was usually referred to, from 2014 until 14 July 2016 as the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales to reflect the geographical area it covers) is led by the bishop of Leeds. There are five episcopal areas within the diocese, each led by an area bishop: Leeds, Ripon, Wakefield, Bradford and Huddersfield.

Bishop of Leeds

Once the three dioceses were dissolved by the scheme on 20 April 2014, the diocesan see of Leeds was newly constituted a diocesan see, whose incumbent, the Bishop of Leeds, is bishop over the whole diocese generally and the Leeds episcopal area specifically. He has cathedrals at Ripon Cathedral, at Wakefield Cathedral, at Bradford Cathedral and, if and only if he designates the minster as a pro-cathedral, at Leeds Minster.

It was announced on 8 November 2013 that a retired Bishop of Southwark, Tom Butler, would serve as "mentor bishop" for the diocese prior to the first diocesan bishop taking post. During that period, Butler was also the interim area bishop in the Bradford area while the bishop of Knaresborough was also interim area bishop in the Leeds area. It was further announced on 4 February 2014 that Nick Baines would be the first diocesan and area Bishop of Leeds; it was further announced on 15 April that Baines would be acting diocesan bishop and acting area bishop for Leeds from 22 April.

Bishop of Ripon

After the dissolution of the diocesan see of Ripon and Leeds, the suffragan see of Knaresborough was transferred by Order in Council to Ripon on 19 March 2015. The incumbent is the area bishop over the Ripon episcopal area; James Bell, then suffragan Bishop of Knaresborough, continued in post as the area bishop in the Ripon area and, until the diocesan bishop started acting as area bishop on 22 April, was additionally interim area bishop in the Leeds area. The area bishopric vacant since Helen-Ann Hartley's translation to Newcastle on 3 February 2023.

Bishop of Wakefield

Following the dissolution of Wakefield diocese, the suffragan see of Pontefract was transferred by Order in Council to Wakefield on 19 March 2015. The incumbent is the area bishop over the Wakefield episcopal area; Tony Robinson, then suffragan Bishop of Pontefract, continued in post as the area bishop in the Wakefield area and, until a Bishop of Huddersfield was appointed, was also acting as interim area bishop in the Huddersfield area. Since 2025, Malcolm Chamberlain has been area Bishop of Wakefield.

Bishop of Bradford

Once the diocesan see of the same name was dissolved, a new suffragan see of Bradford was created by the Scheme. The incumbent is the area bishop over the Bradford episcopal area; since the appointment of a new area bishop had to wait until the diocesan bishop was in post, the diocesan 'mentor bishop', Tom Butler, initially served as interim area bishop in the Bradford area. On 26 August 2014, it was announced that Toby Howarth was to become the first area bishop of Bradford; his consecration was held on 17 October.

Bishop of Huddersfield

The scheme also created a new suffragan see of Huddersfield, whose incumbent is the area bishop over the Huddersfield episcopal area. Significant churches in the area include Huddersfield Parish Church, Halifax Minster and Dewsbury Minster. Since no new area bishop could be appointed until the diocesan bishop was in post, the bishop of Pontefract also served as interim area bishop in the Huddersfield area. On 26 August 2014, it was announced that Jonathan Gibbs was to become the first area bishop of Huddersfield; his consecration was held on 17 October. He was translated to Rochester on 24 May 2022. On 8 March 2023, it was announced that Smitha Prasadam was to be the next area bishop; she was duly consecrated a bishop by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, at York Minster on 22 June 2023. Bishop of Richmond

Bishop of Kirkstall (formerly Bishop of Richmond)

On 29 April 2015, the diocese announced that the See of Richmond would be revived for a suffragan bishop to assist the bishop of Leeds in his area bishop duties. On 19 July 2015, Paul Slater was consecrated to that see.

On 14 March 2018, the see was translated from Richmond to Kirkstall (in Leeds) by Order in Council.

Other bishops

Alternative episcopal oversight (for petitioning parishes in the diocese who reject the ministry of priests or bishops who are women) in the diocese was provided by Tony Robinson, area Bishop of Wakefield, until he retired in 2024.

At the first diocesan synod, three retired honorary assistant bishops were welcomed:

• Clive Handford, former Presiding Bishop in Jerusalem and the Middle East and diocesan Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, was licensed in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds from 2007. He lives in Kirby-on-the-Moor.{{Who's Who | access-date = 26 April 2014
• David Hawkins, area Bishop of Barking, retired to Skipton.
• Chris Edmondson, retired suffragan Bishop of Bolton At the second diocesan synod, John Pritchard, retired Bishop of Oxford, was licensed as an honorary assistant bishop.

Immediately prior to the formation of the new diocese, there were four other retired honorary assistant bishops licensed in the three predecessor dioceses:

• the late David Jenkins, (d. 2016) former Bishop of Durham lived in Barnard Castle, County Durham and was licensed in Ripon & Leeds diocese from 1993.{{Who's Who | access-date = 26 April 2014
• the late Colin Buchanan, former area Bishop of Woolwich and suffragan Bishop of Aston lived in Alwoodley, Leeds and was licensed as an honorary assistant bishop in Bradford diocese from 2004 and in Ripon & Leeds from 2005.{{Who's Who | access-date = 26 April 2014
• A former Archbishop of York, David Hope, lives in Hellifield, Craven. He was licensed as an honorary assistant bishop in Bradford diocese in 2005 and in the Diocese of Blackburn in 2008;{{Who's Who | access-date = 26 April 2014
• Tom Butler, retired Bishop of Southwark and former interim area bishop in Bradford, was licensed in Wakefield from 2010 and in Bradford from 2013. He lives in Walton, Wakefield.{{Who's Who | access-date = 26 April 2014

File:Ripon Cathedral Exterior, Nth Yorkshire, UK - Diliff.jpg|Ripon Cathedral File:Wakefield Cathedral from east.JPG|Wakefield Cathedral File:Bradford Cathedral 01.jpg|Bradford Cathedral File:Leeds Parish Church (10th May 2010) 012.jpg|Leeds Minster

Archdeaconries and deaneries

*including a cathedral

Archdeacon of Mission Resources

Between his resignation as Archdeacon of Bradford (31 July 2015) and his retirement (31 January 2016), David Lee was given the unique role of "Archdeacon of Mission Resources". He was given an archidiaconal title and status, but no territorial archdeaconry. The role has not been re-filled since.

References

References

1. [http://www.leeds.anglican.org/content/new-diocesan-shield Diocese press release] {{Webarchive. link. (15 August 2016 , [http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/grants/item/103-bishopric-of-leeds College of Arms website] (both accessed 13 July 2016).)
2. (20 April 2014). "Welcome to your new diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales".
3. link. (20 April 2014 (Accessed 19 April 2014).)
4. [http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1915420/reorganisation%20scheme.pdf The Dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and Leeds and Wakefield Reorganisation Scheme 2013] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140220111709/http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1915420/reorganisation%20scheme.pdf Archived] 20 February 2014, which accessed 30 September 2019).
5. "New Bishops announced for West Yorkshire and Dales". Diocese of Leeds.
6. [http://www.leeds.anglican.org/news/diocese-be-known-only-diocese-leeds Diocese of Leeds — Diocese to be known only as Diocese of Leeds] {{Webarchive. link. (12 April 2020 (Accessed 15 July 2016).)
7. "Synod Approves new Diocese of Leeds". Church of England.
8. [http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1122107/report.pdf The Dioceses Commission – Review Report No. 2: Dioceses of Bradford, Ripon & Leeds, Sheffield and Wakefield]
9. [http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1352839/oct%202011%20report%20no%20tracks.doc A New Diocese for West Yorkshire and the Dales – The Draft Dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and Leeds and Wakefield Reorganisation Scheme (Report)]
10. [http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1352852/draft%20reorganisation%20scheme%20(final%20for%20consultation).doc The Dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and Leeds and Wakefield Reorganisation Scheme 201?]
11. [http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/005668.html Thinking Anglicans – Dioceses Commission announces draft scheme]
12. [http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/debate/columnists/nick-baines-fear-of-change-shouldn-t-obscure-our-mission-1-5434868 Yorkshire Post – Baines: Fear of change shouldn't obscure mission] (Accessed 22 February 2013).
13. [http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/005944.html Thinking Anglicans – proposed new diocese for West Yorkshire] (Accessed 4 March 2013).
14. [http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2895/diocesan-reorganisation-to-be-referred-to-general-synod Archbishop of York – Reorganisation Referred to General Synod] (Accessed 9 May 2013).
15. [http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/07/synod-approves-new-diocese-of-leeds-for-west-yorkshire-and-the-dales.aspx The Church of England – Synod approves new Diocese of Leeds for West Yorkshire and The Dales]
16. (15 April 2014). "First New Diocese For More Than 85 years Will Be Created on Easter Day". Website of the Archbishop of York.
17. [http://www.leeds.anglican.org/sites/default/files/leeds-news-jan2_2017.pdf Diocesan News — January 2017] p. III (Accessed 8 February 2017).
18. [http://www.leeds.anglican.org/sites/default/files/Leeds%20Diocesan%20News%20-%20February%2017%20.pdf Diocesan News — February 2017] p. IV (Accessed 8 February 2017).
19. [http://www.wyadtransformation.org/?q=content/former-bishop-southwark-be-mentor-bishop The Transformation Programme – Former Bishop of Southwark to be 'mentor bishop'] (Accessed 10 January 2014).
20. link. (10 November 2017 (Accessed 10 January 2014).)
21. [http://www.gov.uk/government/news/diocese-of-leeds-the-right-reverend-nicholas-baines-approved Number 10 – Diocese of Leeds: the Right Reverend Nicholas Baines approved] (Accessed 4 February 2014).
22. [http://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Orders-at-council-19-march-2015.pdf Orders in Council, 19 March 2015] (Accessed 25 March 2015).
23. (11 June 2025). "Malcolm Chamberlain consecrated as Bishop of Wakefield".
24. "(Section: Forthcoming Events)".
25. (8 March 2023). "New Bishop of Huddersfield announced".
26. (22 June 2023). "Two new bishops for our diocese consecrated at York Minster".
27. [http://www.leeds.anglican.org/content/new-suffragan-bishop-diocese Diocese of Leeds — New Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese] (Accessed 13 July 2016).
28. [http://www.leeds.anglican.org/content/archdeacon-paul-slater-be-new-bishop-richmond Diocese of Leeds — Archdeacon Paul Slater to be new Bishop of Richmond] (Accessed 13 July 2016).
29. Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. (14 March 2018). "Orders approved and business transacted at the Privy Council held by The Queen at Buckingham Palace on 14th March 2018".
30. The Society under the patronage of St Wilfred and St Hilda. (2020). "Diocese of Leeds".
31. (22 November 2014). "Historic first Synod strikes a positive note as key decisions made".
32. "Diocesan Synod accepts 'innovative' governance proposals".
33. Davies, Madeleine. (31 October 2014). "Lord Hope ends formal ministry after Cahill Inquiry findings". Church Times.
34. (2020). "Archdeaconry of Bradford". Crockford's Clerical Directory.
35. (2020). "Archdeaconry of Halifax". Crockford's Clerical Directory.
36. (2020). "Archdeaconry of Leeds". Crockford's Clerical Directory.
37. (2020). "Archdeaconry of Pontefract". Crockford's Clerical Directory.
38. (2020). "Archdeaconry of Richmond and Craven". Crockford's Clerical Directory.
39. Bogle, Alison. (8 May 2015). "Archdeacon of Bradford to retire".