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Vote to be held over merged Yorkshire diocese Wakefield rejects plan for single Diocese of Leeds
(about 5 hours later)
Members of three neighbouring Anglican church dioceses in Yorkshire are due to vote later on plans to merge into a single organisation. Members of an Anglican church diocese have rejected plans to merge it with two neighbouring ones.
Under Church of England proposals, the dioceses of Ripon and Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield would combine to become a new Diocese of Leeds. Under Church of England plans, the dioceses of Ripon and Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield would combine to become the Diocese of Leeds.
If approved, the scheme is expected to be placed before the Church of England's general synod in July. The Wakefield diocesan synod voted against the move - despite approval from the other two.
The proposed new diocese could be launched as soon as Easter next year. The Archbishop of York will now have the final say over whether the merger plan can go ahead.
'Element of devolution' The vote followed a six-month consultation period which was held in each diocese in 2011-12.
The vote follows a six-month consultation period which was held in each diocese in 2011-12. The aim of the merger was to create "a strong element of devolution within a context of rationalisation", said the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds.
The plans will be debated by members of each diocesan synod, or church parliament, before a vote is held at about 12:30 GMT on Saturday. John Carter, from the diocese, said a larger single diocese would be more efficient.
Members will be faced with a yes/no vote to dissolve the three individual dioceses and a simple majority is all that is required for approval. The Diocese of Sheffield, which receives two parishes from the proposed new diocese. has already voted in favour.
The aim of the merger would be to create "a strong element of devolution within a context of rationalisation", said the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds. Blackburn, which also receives some parishes under the plan, will vote in April.
John Carter, from the diocese, said: "It is very important that the church is run well and that it can run. The Dioceses Commission said it was disappointed Wakefield had voted against but said support for the proposal was strong.
"If your area has a vicar or not does depend on how well the diocese is structured and how much money is coming in to pay for vicars." The commission said the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, would make a final decision on whether the plan should go to the Church of England's general synod after the Blackburn vote.
He said a larger single diocese would be more efficient and uses church resources better.
If one or more of the three dioceses votes against the scheme, then Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, could still decide to place it before the general synod in July for a final decision.