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Diocese of Norwich

Diocese of the Church of England From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diocese of Norwichmap
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The Diocese of Norwich is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Church of England, forming part of the Province of Canterbury in England. Its origins trace back to the early medieval bishopric of Elmham and Thetford, which were subsequently merged and relocated to Norwich in 1095 under Bishop Herbert de Losinga. Historically, the diocese has overseen numerous parishes across Norfolk and Suffolk, and it played a significant role in the religious and political developments of medieval England. Today, it continues to function as an important administrative and spiritual centre within the Anglican Church.

Quick Facts Diocese of Norwich Dioecesis Norvicensis, Location ...
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History

The Diocese of Norwich traces its origins to the early medieval Bishopric of East Anglia, founded in 630 at Dommoc (likely Dunwich or nearby). Like many Anglo-Saxon bishoprics, it relocated over time, moving to Elmham in 673. Following the Norman Conquest, it was transferred to Thetford in 1070 before finally settling in Norwich in 1095 under Bishop Herbert de Losinga.

It currently oversees 563 parishes and 656 churches, covering nearly all of Norfolk except for the extreme west beyond the River Great Ouse, which falls under the Diocese of Ely. The diocese also includes the deanery of Lothingland, encompassing the port of Lowestoft and its surrounding areas in Suffolk. This totals an area of over 1,800 square miles (4,700 km2) with a population of approximately 867,000 (as of 2008).

Like most older dioceses, its territory has gradually reduced over time. Until the formation of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich in 1914, Suffolk was included, along with other areas in earlier periods.

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Organisation

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Bishops

The Bishop of Norwich (Graham Usher)[1] leads the diocese and is assisted by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Thetford (Ian Bishop) and the Bishop of Lynn (Jane Steen). The suffragan sees of Ipswich and of Thetford were both created by the Suffragan Bishops Act 1534 but went into abeyance after one incumbent; Thetford was next filled in 1894 and Ipswich in 1899. The See of Ipswich has been in abeyance since before the diocesan see including that city's name was created; a new second suffragan see – of Lynn – was therefore founded in 1963.

Alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese which do not accept the ordination of women as priests) is provided by the provincial episcopal visitor, Norman Banks, Bishop suffragan of Richborough, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese to facilitate his ministry. There are also seven retired bishops living in the diocese who are licensed as honorary assistant bishops:

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Archdeaconries and deaneries

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The former deaneries of Ingworth and Sparham were combined in 2018.[9] The deaneries of St Benet at Waxham and Tunstead were combined in 1996. The deanery of Hingham and Mitford was split between the deaneries of Dereham and Humbleyard in 1995.

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*including Cathedral

**including Walsingham Shrine

Churches

Not in a deanery

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Deanery of Norwich East

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Deanery of Norwich North

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Deanery of Norwich South

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Deanery of Blofield

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Deanery of Depwade

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Deanery of Great Yarmouth

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Deanery of Humbleyard

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Deanery of Loddon

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Deanery of Lothingland

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Deanery of Redenhall

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Deanery of St Benet at Waxham & Tunstead

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Deanery of Thetford & Rockland

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Deanery of Breckland

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Deanery of Burnham & Walsingham

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Deanery of Dereham in Mitford

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Deanery of Heacham & Rising

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Deanery of Holt

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Deanery of Ingworth and Sparham

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Deanery of Lynn

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Deanery of Repps

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Dedications

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This table is drawn from the above lists. More than half of the churches in the diocese have just four dedications: St Mary, St Andrew, All Saints and St Peter.

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See also

References

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