The diocese was founded in accordance with the Third Report of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, appointed to consider the state of the Established Church in England and Wales, printed in 1836.

4. c. 77)[2] was passed that year whereby the King, by Order-in-Council was empowered to carry into effect the recommendations of the commissioners.

It provided that the sees of St Asaph and Bangor should be united on the next vacancy in either, and on that occurring the Bishop of Manchester should be created.

The union of the sees never took place and the Bishopric of Manchester Act 1847 was brought forward which authorised the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to bring forward an alternative reorganisation scheme in Chambers which received royal assent and the bishopric was constituted.

He is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his work there.