THE Archbishop of York’s return to the humble life of a parish priest is something for which he had longed, even at the height of his ecumenical career.

Talking to The Times about his new post yesterday, he said that he would not miss his palace, which dates from the 16th century, although he had appreciated the privilege of living there.

“I’m very much looking forward to this appointment,” he said. “I always hoped that it might be possible to conclude my ministry as I had begun it as a parish priest. This I believe to be the call of God.”

In fact, David Hope has never hidden his longing to return to parish life, never having been truly comfortable with the trappings of high office in the Church.

At the time of his elevation, he said he would have been just as happy, even more so, if the letter from Downing Street had contained an appointment to a lowly curacy.

“I have a great instinct for the basic task for which I was ordained,” he said at the time. “As a bishop it’s frustrating that you have to keep working at being with and among the people. When they talk about me being second in the hierarchy of the Church of England it sounds slightly absurd, so grand that I can’t believe they are talking about me.”

In a sermon in 1998 Dr Hope, who is originally from Wakefield, Yorkshire, condemned the “dull, pedestrian committee-speak and committee-bound utilitarian view of the Church”.

He will begin his new tenure as a parish priest in a small country church set among some of the most beautiful scenery in the county and in the heart of the Bradford Diocese. “St Margaret’s, Ilkley, combines all that is best of Anglican worship with, as well, lively worship for young people and their families,” he said.

“I shall seek as best I can to work with and serve the parish; its needs and aspirations for ministry and mission. It will be nice to be in a small parish so close to the moors. I enjoy walking and it will be a pleasure to be able to go out to the moors.”

He admitted that he did feel some “trepidation” at returning to parish ministry after so many years as a bishop. During his interviews for the post by parish representatives, he had made it clear that they must not be afraid to reject him if they preferred one of the other candidates. He said: “Things have changed. Clearly there will be new things to learn. But I am looking forward to it.”

He said that the crisis over homosexuality had played no part in his decision, as the debate had been going on for a long time. Instead, he said he had felt a genuine call from God to return to parish life. Despite a personal reluctance, Dr Hope, in common with others with similar views, accepted his elevations because he believed that they came about as a result of God ’s callings. But he said that he tried always to fulfil his pastoral vocation.

In York he was deeply involved in local issues, taking an interest in education and championing farmers during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

A conservative at heart, he has also been unafraid to criticise the Government, most recently joining the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, in signing a letter to the Prime Minister voicing concern about the treatment of Iraqi detainees.

He let it be known two years ago, in conversations with friends, that he intended to retire early and become a parish priest again.

While he had prayed over his decision to go, knowing the difficulties Dr Williams is likely to face over the next few years, Dr Hope said that he was confident that the Archbishop would be able to cope and that by next March would have been settled in post for two years. “To that extent, there is never a right time to go,” he said.

The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev David James, said: “I am thrilled that the Archbishop will be coming to St Margaret’s, Ilkley, and to the Diocese of Bradford. He brings with him a deep spirituality, a breadth of experience and a wealth of Yorkshire humour and common sense. Although most of his time will be spent ministering to the people of Ilkley, I shall also value his wise counsel.”

Christine Butler, who has attended St Margaret’s for 26 years, said: “The reason why I think he (Dr Hope) is coming here is because the parish is quite High Church and traditional in values. There are also a lot of families who come and it would be a very important role for him to work with them.”

Barbara France, the churchwarden, said: “The parish of St Margaret’s is privileged to have been chosen by the Archbishop of York as the parish to which he wishes to return as a priest, and he will be sure of a warm welcome.”

The parish of St Margaret’s is Anglo-Catholic in tradition. It has about 190 on the electoral roll and has experienced growth in recent years under the cure of its former vicar, Father Richard Hoyal, who has moved to All Saints, Clifton, in the Bristol Diocese.

Mrs France said: “This growth has much to do with our family service, which we began out of a desire to develop our ministry to the younger generation. The Archbishop understands our concern to reach out to the younger generation and we are sure that he will be a wonderful support in this area of mission.”

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