The names of the suffragan sees of Knaresborough and Pontefract in the diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales were officially changed to Ripon and Wakefield respectively by Order in Council on 19 March 2015. The two area bishops, James Bell and Tony Robinson, can now officially be called the Bishop of Ripon and the Bishop of Wakefield respectively.
Perfect – two former Suffragan Sees now in abeyance – just right to be filled by two Northern Provincial Flying Bishops – one to care for Conservative Evangelicals and the other to look after future Church Plants.
No, Fr David. Both these sees are occupied, all that has happened is that their names have been changed.
Simon, does that also mean that the See of Lindisfarne is still occupied only that its name has been changed to Nucassel via Durham?
David, there are five (if I am not mistaken) such Sees anyway: Berwick, Barrow, Hulme, Richmond and Whalley (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffragan_Bishops_Act_1534)
Presumably, in the future, ‘suffragan’ sees will be reserved for female bishops – in order to avoid the ‘problem’ of a woman diocesan? Or will the church of England consider opening up substantive Sees for Women Bishops?
Well! That was quick. I never expected to see a woman appointed as a Diocesan Bishop so soon. Mind you, another Evangelical, This must suit the Abps.