A new Cathedral for Leeds?
The Church of England’s plans to create a new mega Diocese for West Yorkshire and the Dales received an unexpected boost yesterday, when Leeds City Council announced that they would be willing to hand over the buildings and grounds of Kirkstall Abbey to the new diocese. The idea of the Council is that by renovating it, the new diocese would create a new cathedral from the historic ruins.
Kirstall Abbey is one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Britain. It recently featured in a BBC Television spectacular based on the Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein. Set in wonderful parkland along the banks of the River Aire, Kirkstall Abbey boasts historic architecture amid a haven of wildlife and greenery.
However, its upkeep has been a constant strain on Leeds City Council’s finances, maintaining the ancient ruins in a stable state of repair, along with the upkeep of the extensive parkland that surround it.
Spokesperson for Leeds City Council, Sally Fropodia, said that the City Council was very much behind the proposals to see Wakefield, Bradford and Ripon & Leeds Dioceses merged into one cohesive unit. “It makes sense for us to have one Diocese that covers the whole city, unlike the current situation where it is divided into four dioceses (York Diocese also having a few parishes within the eastern edge of the City’s boundaries), but we, as a Council, are concerned that the new diocese would not have a cathedral that would be the central focus for it.
“We would love to see this beautiful historic site restored to its former glory and role as a significant place of worship and administration for the new diocese. At the same time, it would allow the Council to divert much needed funds to other areas of concern around the city, which is particularly pertinent in these times of significant cutbacks from central Government.”
Speaking on behalf of the three dioceses, the Revd Canon Ivor Littlechurch, warmly welcomed the City’s generous offer. “The fact that Leeds does not have a cathedral and neither is there a church suitable to become one has been a bit of a stumbling block for us with regards to the proposed merger. To think that this wonderful example of early English church architecture could be resurrected to play such an important and vital role, is highly significant. The senior clergy and Church officials in the three dioceses and in London are earnestly looking into Leeds City Council’s most generous offer. This truly would be a great example of Mr Cameron’s Big Society, where State and Church work side by side.”
It is not expected that any firm decisions will be made until it has been established how the cost of the renovations would be funded and a decision made over who would be responsible for maintaining the parkland around the new cathedral.
Raol Pilof
Religious & Cultural Correspondent
Yorkshire Associated Press
