New bishop will cover our district

Huddersfield will have its first ever Bishop whose role will cover the wider Kirklees area.

Downing Street has appointed the Rev Jonathan Gibbs, 53, to be part of the newly-created Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales.

He will be consecrated alongside the Rev Toby Howarth, who will be Bishop of Bradford, during a service to be conducted by the Archbishop of York at York Minster on October 17 .

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Mr Gibbs said: “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.

“I am also very partial to a pint of Timothy Taylor’s ‘Landlord’ and am looking forward to getting to know some more of the local brews!”

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Mr Gibbs will also cover Calderdale in his role. He has been rector of Heswall in the Diocese of Chester for the last 16 years.

Diocesan Bishop Nick Baines said: “They bring wide experience, great expertise and substantial gifts to our leadership and ministry as we build the new diocese.

“Both will bring important outside perspectives to this complex task and help bring bishops closer to the ground in parishes and communities.”