THE Church of England is casting off its cloak of secrecy and casting out its net in the search for the next Bishop of Hereford.

For the first time in the church's 470-year history, advertisements have been published in two church newspapers to attract candidates for the £33,000 a year job.

Theoretically, the only restrictions on nominations are for women and those under 30, but in practice the church is unlikely to consider anyone outside the usual pool of ordained male priests.

New system

Anni Holden, director of communications for Hereford Diocese, said: "We are very pleased to be the first diocese to put this new system of consultation to the test.

"Excited as we are about a more open system, it would have been good to have had the chance to consider a woman for the post."

With Bishop John Oliver due to retire at the end of November, the consultation process to choose his successor has already started. The advertisements are designed to make the strongly-criticised selection process more transparent.

Currently, the successor is chosen by a panel of church leaders who then put a shortlist of two, with recommendations, to the Prime Minster.

The successful candidate will inherit the Bishop's Palace, with staff, a chauffeur-driven car and, possibly, a seat in the House of Lords.

Anyone with ideas about a successor can find the advertisements in the Church Times or Church of England Newspaper or write to Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments, Cowley House, 9 Little College Street, London SW1P 3SH.

Anni Holden said: "We hope people will take the ads seriously and write to the representatives. We have already started the consultation process locally."