Vacancy in See

A prayerful process to discern the next Bishop of Liverpool

The See of Liverpool became vacant following the resignation of Bishop John Perumbalath in July 2025, and since that time the diocese has been led led by Bishop Ruth Worsley as Interim Bishop.

At this important time in the life of our diocese, we ask for your prayers for the work of the Vacancy in See Committee as it undertakes the local work of listening, consultation and prayerful discernment on behalf of the Diocese of Liverpool.

This includes hearing the voices of people from across our churches and communities, and helping prepare the Statement of Needs, which will inform the national discernment and appointments process.

While the Diocese of Liverpool plays an important part in this work, the appointment of the next bishop is not made by the diocese itself. The final appointment is made through the formal Church of England and Crown Nominations process, and is approved by His Majesty The King.

As part of this, we are inviting everyone who lives, worships, works, studies or partners with the Diocese of Liverpool to share their views through our public consultation survey.

The Vacancy in See process is the formal Church of England process that takes place when the office of diocesan bishop becomes vacant. It provides an opportunity for the diocese to reflect prayerfully on its present life and future direction, and to help shape the appointment of the next Bishop of Liverpool.

This is not simply an appointments process. It is a period of listening, reflection and discernment across the whole diocesan family.

The Bishop of Liverpool plays a vital role in leading the Church across our diocese and in serving our wider communities, civic partners, schools and the many people who look to the Church for spiritual leadership, hope and support.

This page will provide updates and key documents as the process continues.

What is Vacancy in See?

Vacancy in See is the formal Church of England process that begins when a diocesan see becomes vacant. Following the resignation of The Right Reverend John Perumbalath, the See of Liverpool fell vacant on 31 July 2026. Since then, The Very Reverend Ruth Worsley has served as Interim Bishop of Liverpool and will continue to do so throughout this process

In the Diocese of Liverpool, this process is being overseen locally by the Vacancy in See Committee (ViSC), chaired by the Dean of Liverpool, working alongside the national Church of England and, in due course, the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC).

The purpose of the process is to help discern:

• the needs and priorities of the diocese at this point in its life
• the opportunities and challenges facing our churches and communities
• the qualities, gifts and leadership needed in the next Bishop of Liverpool

A central outcome of this stage is the preparation of a Statement of Needs, produced by the ViSC, a key document that sets out the context, priorities and hopes of the diocese for potential candidates and the national appointments process.

This document will be informed by public consultation.

Have your say

Your voice is an important part of this process.

Listening to the people of this diocese is a central part of the Vacancy in See process.

We want to hear from as broad a range of voices as possible, including:

• clergy and lay leaders
• church members and worshipping communities
• cathedral congregation and visitors
• schools and chaplaincies
• ecumenical and civic partners
• community organisations
• members of the wider public

The next Bishop of Liverpool will help lead the mission and ministry of the Church across our region for years to come.

Your reflections will help us understand:

• what matters most to people across the diocese
• the challenges and opportunities we face
• the qualities and leadership we hope to see in our next bishop

This consultation will directly inform the Statement of Needs and help shape the national discernment process.

The online survey is open until Thursday 30th April 5pm

Those aged 18 and over should complete this survey

For those under the age of 18, we invite you to complete this survey

Why your voice matters

The appointment of a diocesan bishop is one of the most significant moments in the life of a diocese.

The next Bishop of Liverpool will be called to lead the Church in this place through worship, mission, public witness and pastoral care.

They will serve churches and communities across Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan, and play an important role in the civic and public life of our region.

This is why hearing from the people who know and love this diocese is so important.

Your voice will help ensure that the process reflects the lived reality of our churches, schools, communities and partnerships, and the hopes we hold for the future.

What happens next?

Following the close of the consultation survey, responses will be reviewed carefully by the Vacancy in See Committee.

Themes, insights and priorities emerging from the consultation will inform the Statement of Needs, which sets out the character of the diocese and the leadership qualities being sought in the next bishop.

Following this:

1. the Statement of Needs will be finalised
   
   
2. The Vacancy in See Committee will contribute to the national process
   
   
3. the Crown Nominations Commission will begin its work
   
   
4. the formal discernment and appointment process will continue

This process takes a number of months, and we will continue to share updates here as key milestones are reached.

Loving God,
guide the Diocese of Liverpool in this time of discernment.

Grant wisdom, grace and patience to all who are involved in this process.
Help us to listen well, speak honestly and seek your will for the future of this diocese.

Prepare the heart of the one you are calling to serve as our next Bishop of Liverpool.

In Jesus name,
Amen.

FAQs

This is a live page. We will update this page regularly through the Vacancy process.