Diocesan Registry

PETERBOROUGH DIOCESAN REGISTRY

The Diocese of Peterborough comprises the County of
Northamptonshire, the County of Rutland and a small area of
Cambridgeshire around Peterborough. The Diocesan Bishop is the Rt.
Rev. Donald Allister, Bishop of Peterborough, and the Suffragan
Bishop is the Rt. Rev. Frank White, Bishop of Brixworth. There are
approximately 150 clergy in the Diocese and 379 churches spread
over 351 parishes.

The Work of the Diocesan Registry

Each Diocese of the Church of England has two Legal Officers, the
Chancellor and the Registrar, who may have deputies. The following
are the main areas of work undertaken by the Registrar at the
Diocesan Registry:

Advice
The giving of advice to the Bishops and all other clergy, to diocesan
boards and committees, and to Churchwardens and Parochial Church
Councils, and dealing with general enquiries from members of the
public in relation to marriage, baptism, burial, etc.
Appointments
The preparation of notices, licences, permissions, instruments and all
other documents relating to the appointment of clergy and lay office
holders.
Consecrations
The preparation of the documents required for the consecration of
churches, churchyards and cemeteries.
Diocesan Records
The maintenance of records relating to churches, clergy, etc.
Faculties
The granting of Faculties to authorise changes or additions to
consecrated buildings and burial grounds.
Marriage Licences
The issue of Common Licences on behalf of the Bishop of
Peterborough, to authorise marriages in parish churches and in other
buildings licensed for the solemnisation of marriages according to the
rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.
Patronage
Maintenance of a register of patrons of the diocese, and ensuring that
the provisions of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 are
complied with in relation to the filling of vacant benefices.