The commission choosing the next Bishop of Carlisle has 'very sadly' not reached a level of consensus to choose the next bishop.

After two days of interviews last week, the commission could not choose the replacement for the Right Reverend James Newcombe who retired in July.

A statement from the Archbishop of York said: “At the conclusion of a lengthy process of discernment, culminating in two days of interviews on December, 13 and 14 the Crown Nominations Commission considering the nomination of the next Bishop of Carlisle has, very sadly, not been able reach the level of consensus required to nominate a new Diocesan Bishop.

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"Over the course of the next months, the Crown Nominations Commission will need to reflect, and make a decision about which stage it wishes to re-commence the discernment process. This is not likely to be before the Spring of 2025."

Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh, the Bishop of Penrith, will continue serving as acting Diocesan Bishop alongside the senior leadership team in the Diocese of Carlisle.