The Vacancy in See Committee is a statutory committee, which has a permanent existence but only meets during a vacancy in see, i.e. when there is a vacancy in the diocesan bishopric.
The role of the Vacancy in See Committee is: to prepare a brief description of the Diocese and a statement setting out the desired profile of the new Bishop and to elect the diocesan representatives to the Crown Nominations Commission.
You can read an update on Durham Crown Nominations Commission process from Bishop Sarah and Diocesan Secretary, James Morgan on Monday 17 February 2025 by clicking here.
Statement of Needs
The Vacancy in See Committee produced a Diocesan Statement of Needs to support the process of discerning the next Bishop of Durham. A wide ranging and fruitful consultation took place across our diocese during 2024 and the drafting sub-group of the Vacancy in See Committee shaped those many contributions into the Statement of Needs. The production of this Statement of Needs was underpinned in prayer, both at Vacancy in See meetings and when the drafting group met. This document was unanimously adopted by the Vacancy in See committee on April 18 2024 and it is available to view here.
Crown Nominations Commissions (CNC) Representatives
The Vacancy in See Committee elected six of its members to represent the Diocese on the Crown Nominations Commission. This is the Commission which shortlists and interviews prospective candidates for the role of the Bishop of Durham. It is made up of 14 members comprising 6 elected from the Diocese, 6 General Synod members, the Archbishop of York and another Bishop. The six members elected from the Diocese are:
- Val Barron
- Jamie Harrison
- Mark Miller
- Rick Simpson
- Frances Stenlake
- Margaret Vaughan
Please keep them in your prayers.
Praying for the Discernment Process
Please continue to pray for the discernment process for the next Bishop of Durham. Canon Charlie Allen has written a Diocesan Prayer which complements the prayer written by our Children’s Council.
We have produced a prayer card with these prayers on. You can download a colour version here or a black and white version here.
We hope that parishes, chaplaincies and schools will particularly use these prayers in worship and at other helpful occasions so that we are joining together across the whole Diocese. Please do write and use your own prayers as well, to add to the diocesan prayers.
The prayers are:
A Diocesan Vacancy Prayer from our Children’s Council
Dear God,
As we look for a new Bishop of Durham, we pray that you would help us find someone who can lead our Diocese and help people get closer to God. We pray for a new Bishop who is caring, kind and a good listener. We give thanks for everyone in our Diocese of Durham and pray you will help us to trust in your plan for our future together.
Amen
A Diocesan Vacancy Prayer written by Canon Charlie Allen
Almighty God,
as we journey through this vacancy
grant us joy in all that has been
and hope for all that is to come.
Inspired by the deep faith of the northern saints,
may we prepare the way well for a new Bishop of Durham,
and delight in our call to bear your light
from the Tyne to the Tees and from the Dales to the Sea,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Consultation
People were invited to contribute to the appointment process through an online survey and online public consultation Zoom meeting.
Who are the members of the Vacancy in See Committee?
The Vacancy in See Committee has a mixture of ex officio, nominated and elected members as follows:
- The Right Reverend Sarah Clark – Chair (ex officio as Bishop of Jarrow)
- The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming (ex officio as Dean of Durham)
- The Venerable Libby Wilkinson (ex officio as one of two Archdeacons elected by and from the Archdeacons)
- The Venerable Rick Simpson (ex officio as one of two Archdeacons elected by and from the Archdeacons)
- The Venerable Bob Cooper (ex officio as an elected clergy member of General Synod)
- The Reverend Mark Mawhinney (ex officio as an elected clergy member of General Synod)
- The Reverend Mark Miller (ex officio as an elected clergy member of General Synod)
- The Reverend Chantal Noppen (ex officio as an elected clergy member of General Synod)
- The Reverend Canon Dave Tolhurst (ex officio as an elected clergy member of General Synod)
- Mr Ali Bianchi (ex officio as an elected member of the House of Laity of General Synod)
- Dr Angus Goudie (ex officio as an elected member of the House of Laity of General Synod
- Canon Dr Jamie Harrison (ex officio as an elected member of the House of Laity of General Synod)
- Mrs Helen Smith (ex officio as an elected member of the House of Laity of General Synod)
- The Reverend Canon Steph Clark (ex officio as Chair of the House of Clergy of Diocesan Synod)
- Mrs Frances Stenlake (ex officio as Chair of the House of Laity of Diocesan Synod)
- The Reverend Paul Neville (elected by the House of Clergy and House of Laity of Diocesan Synod)
- The Reverend Matt Tarling (elected by the House of Clergy and House of Laity of Diocesan Synod)
- Canon Margaret Vaughan (elected by the House of Clergy and House of Laity of Diocesan Synod)
- Mr Paul Hobbs (elected by the House of Clergy and House of Laity of Diocesan Synod)
- Mr James Hall (nominated by Bishop’s Council)
- The Reverend Mary Yasini (nominated by Bishop’s Council)
- Mrs Val Barron (nominated by Bishop’s Council)
- Mrs Susan Brown (nominated by Bishop’s Council)