The Church of England is divided geographically into 42 dioceses, covering every part of England. Each diocese is under the care of a Diocesan Bishop, who works closely with the Suffragan Bishops, the Dean of the Cathedral, Archdeacons, Area & Lay Deans, the Diocesan Office and the Diocesan Registry.
One key aspect of the ministry of the Archbishop of York is as the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of York, geographically one of the largest in the Church of England, stretching from the Yorkshire coast to the A1, and between the Rivers Humber and Tees. It includes nearly 600 churches and 122 schools across 442 parishes.
Within the Diocese of York, the parishes are grouped into three Archdeaconries (Cleveland, East Riding, and York), and episcopal care is led by the bishops of Whitby, Hull, and Selby. A fourth suffragan, the Bishop of Beverley, provides episcopal oversight across the whole of the Northern Province, at the request of the diocesan bishops, to those parishes that have passed resolutions in accordance with the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests.
As Diocesan Bishop, Archbishop Stephen holds oversight and responsibility for the whole mission and ministry of the diocese, its care, discipline and jurisdiction. To provide appropriate support for the ministry of the Archbishop, the Bishop of Selby is Lead Bishop for the Diocese, and takes responsibility for the oversight of the Diocese on a day to day basis, providing leadership, particularly in shaping and delivering the Diocesan strategy, supporting the central services and structures of the Diocese and chairing meetings, including the York Diocesan Leadership Team (YDLT). The Bishops of Hull and Whitby have strategic responsibilities, for Evangelism and Discipleship (Hull), and for Growing Younger and more Diverse (Whitby). The Bishop of Whitby chairs the Diocesan Board of Education.
