Queen approves Bishop’s new job title
THE QUEEN has approved a name change to create a new Bishop’s title in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds which will reflect an ancient religious landmark in the city.
The See of Kirkstall has now received the Royal seal, which enables the suffragan Bishop of Richmond, the Right Reverend Paul Slater, to become the Bishop of Kirkstall, which will better suit his role serving the episcopal area of Leeds.
Bishop Paul said his job will remain the same, but the new name makes more sense.
He said: “Kirkstall Abbey is somewhere that Leeds people know and it’s a place of ancient worship and service within such a modern, go-ahead city.”
The move, supported by Bishop of Leeds the Rt Rev Nick Baines and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, was voted through by the Church of England’s General Synod in London in February.
Bishop Nick added: “I’m delighted that the Bishop responsible for the Church of England in the city of Leeds now has a title that locates him here.”
Mr Slater was consecrated as Bishop of Richmond in Ripon Cathedral in 2015, with his main responsibility becoming pastoral oversight for Leeds itself, one of five Episcopal Areas in the diocese. But with Richmond lying in North Yorkshire, 56 miles north of Leeds, it was then proposed to change the title to Bishop of Kirkstall.