The Diocese of York is led by the Archbishop of York acting with the advice and consent of the Diocesan Synod.
‘Synod’ is a Greek word meaning “coming together and finding a way”.
The York Diocesan Synod is the representative governing body of the Diocese of York, and the members of Synod also form the Diocesan Board of Finance. Through Diocesan Synod members of the Church of England in York work together to take forward the mission and ministry of the Church. In it, Bishops, priests and lay people meet together to discuss the issues facing the Church and to make decisions about our common future.
The clergy and laity of Diocesan Synod have been elected there from each Deanery by the members of that deanery's Deanery Synod. Other members of Diocesan Synod include the Dean of York Minster, the suffragan bishops, the archdeacons, and the clergy and laity elected by the Diocese to the General Synod.
The Synod also has a role in representing the views of the York Diocese to the General Synod and wider national Church, particularly when asked to do so by the General Synod or Archbishops’ Council.
Representatives from Diocesan Synod are able to stand for election to General Synod, the governing body of the Church of England.