Archbishop of York back to parish

ILKEY, England, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Dr. David Hope, the archbishop of York, has decided to ditch his seat in the House of Lords in favor to taking over St. Margaret's Church in Ilkley, England.

"I have always hoped it might be possible to conclude my ministry as I had begun it, as a parish priest," Hope, the second most senior Anglican clergyman, told congregants Sunday.

Hope stirred controversy, calling on the nation to stop "wallowing" in tragedy just a year after Princess Diana's death and has been at odds with those who support female and gay priests, the Daily Mirror reported.