In a letter to be read at churches across Suffolk, the Right Rev Richard Lewis will tell congregations of his concerns at a downturn in .

Bishop Richard praised the 4m raised so far this year by parishioners.

But he said he was concerned the diocese could be “400,000 short of the 5.3m parish share target this year”.

“This does have implications for what we do,” he added.

‘Delay in ‘

Suffolk’s 450 parishes raise approximately 12m a year through voluntary giving.

At a meeting of the Church’s Parliament in Suffolk in November 2004, parish delegates approved a central diocesan budget of 6.8m for 2005.

The delegates also committed the parishes to contributing 5.3m through parish share to that sum.

Bishop Richard said to help meet the budget shortfall the diocese may delay some new appointments.

There are 450 parishes in the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich attended by 19,000 regular church members.

Over 70% of the Diocesan budget is spent in Suffolk’s parishes, paying clergy salaries, pension , National Insurance, Council Tax payments and providing housing and other financial support.

Average weekly giving by church members in Suffolk is 6. The national average is 7.75.