A SERVICE to confirm Bishop Stephen Cottrell as the 98th Archbishop of York - originally due to take place in York Minster - will now be broadcast entirely via Zoom video conference because of the coronavirus restrictions.

The virtual service will include a legal ceremony with readings, prayers and music and a film marking the start of his new ministry.

There will be music from York Minster Choir and Manor Church of England Academy School and Bishop Stephen will offer his first address as Archbishop.

He said: "This isn’t quite how I imagined it would begin. It is certainly the first time an Archbishop’s election will have been confirmed via video conference. But we’re all having to re-imagine how we live our lives and how we inhabit the world."

He hoped the love of God would shine out, 'perhaps even to those who while never attending a service in York Minster might have a look online.' Arrangements for an enthronement service will be announced later in the year.

Meanwhile, current Archbishop Dr John Sentamu will mark his last day in the role not by planned services at the Minster but by preaching as part of a national online service broadcast by the Church of England at 9am on Sunday June 7.