From the Diocese of Bradford

The Archbishop of York, who has produced a timetable of key dates for the new diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, has announced that the 'Appointed Day' will be Easter 2014.

This is when the three dioceses cease to exist and the new diocese comes into being, and when the three diocesan bishops depart.

While arrangements will be put in place to allow us to operate consistently during the transitional period, the Appointed Day itself will not bring any instant changes; these will be gradual over a period of about a year.

Bishop Nick Baines says, "It is good to have a clear road map for all that has to happen between now and the creation of the new diocese. Much detailed work is now going on and we can engage with this both with creativity and patience. Our diocesan officers are serving us very well as we face an exciting and challenging time ahead. The job of the church will not change as the plumbing gets attended to!"

It's expected that the name of the new Diocesan Bishop will be announced in February and there will be an Acting Bishop between the Appointed Day and the new Bishop taking up his post – probably in the summer. See the timetable on the diocesan website under 'Latest on the Proposals for a new Diocese'.