Diocesan Registry York

Registry team and services

Louise Connacher is the Registrar of the Diocese and Legal Secretary to the Archbishop of York, Registrar of the Consistory Court of the Diocese and Legal Adviser to the Diocesan Synod.

She is supported by Deputy Provincial Registrar, David Whitaker and Deputy Diocesan Registrar, Jessica Gray.

The Registrar and her staff are available to give advice to the following individuals in the Diocese in relation to legal matters properly arising in connection with the discharge of their ecclesiastical, synodical and parochial offices:

the Bishop, suffragan bishops and archdeacons;
authorised clergy (stipendiary and non-stipendiary);
chairs and secretaries of boards, councils and committees;
rural deans and lay chairman of deanery synods; and
churchwardens and PCC secretaries.

Please direct all enquiries to registryyork@flintbishop.co.uk and we will be in touch.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Diocesan Registry York

Clergy and church legal guidance

Advice is also available to bona fide enquirers concerning the law of marriage, baptism, confirmation and burial of the dead (coffin burials and cremated remains), according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.

The Registrar and her staff prepare and register all documents required in connection with ordination, instituting and licensing of clergy and others under canon law, licensing of buildings for public worship and the consecration of churches and burial grounds.

There are some restrictions on the amount of advice and work that may be done in the Registry without payment of a fee. Guidance is given where appropriate.

FACULTY MATTERS & GOVERNANCE

Diocesan Registry York

Key contact

Louise Connacher

Partner – Ecclesiastical & Charities

Louise is a senior ecclesiastical lawyer, advising the Archbishop of York, bishops, clergy, PCCs and churchwardens on a range of matters including faculty law, ordinations, clergy licensing, pastoral reorganisation, PCC and Diocesan Synod meetings, safeguarding and clergy discipline. She is Registrar of the Province and Diocese of York and of the Diocese of Sodor and Man.

Louise is often asked to advise bishops of other Dioceses on clergy discipline matters when their Registrars are unable to do so.

In her role as Provincial Registrar, Louise attends meetings of the General Synod, and sits on the Clergy Discipline Commission, the Fees Advisory Commission the Rule Committee and the Legal Advisory Commission. She is also Registrar of Tribunals for the Northern Province.

As a member of the Ecclesiastical Law Society, Louise is interested in, and committed to, the development of ecclesiastical law. She has contributed to working parties considering the reform of the Clergy Discipline Measure led by the Ecclesiastical Law Society and the Bishop at Lambeth.

Louise frequently delivers training in ecclesiastical law matters on behalf of the Ecclesiastical Law Society. She is also a committee member of the Ecclesiastical Law Association.

EMAIL LOUISE

Registry team and services

Clergy and church legal guidance

Key contact

Louise Connacher

Services

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