First Bishop for Huddersfield to be consecrated in York Minster

The Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs is to be consecrated the first Bishop of Huddersfield and the Revd Dr Toby Howarth, is to be consecrated the Bishop of Bradford at York Minster.
Creation of the Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales. Bishop of Huddersfield Jonathan Gibbs at Halifax Minster.Creation of the Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales. Bishop of Huddersfield Jonathan Gibbs at Halifax Minster.
Creation of the Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales. Bishop of Huddersfield Jonathan Gibbs at Halifax Minster.

During the service on October 17 the two candidates will be presented to the Archbishop of York and make their oaths of obedience.

The Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs was Rector of Heswall in the Diocese of Chester for seventeen years, and will be consecrated as the first ever Bishop of Huddersfield.

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Huddersfield is a new bishopric covering the local authority areas of Calderdale and Kirklees and like Bradford is one of the five ‘episcopal areas’ of the new Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales created last Easter. The other areas are Wakefield, Leeds and Ripon which already have their bishops.

Jonathan Gibbs said on his appointment as Bishop Of Huddersfield: “I am delighted to be coming to Yorkshire and to be joining the new Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales at this exciting time.

“My wife Toni and I are thrilled to be moving to such a great part of the world, with a wealth of culture in its towns and cities as well as beautiful villages and countryside.

“I am looking forward to working with the other members of the Diocesan team to build up the life of our churches both numerically and spiritually and to contributing to the life of the rich and diverse community in West Yorkshire.“

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The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu will consecrate both Area Bishops and will be officially welcomed at services in their new Episcopal areas next month.

Revd Dr Toby Howarth will be welcomed to Bradford with a service on November 8 at Bradford Cathedral, while the Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs will be welcomed at a service on November 29 at Dewsbury Minster.