The Diocese of Carlisle covers the county of Cumbria and is led by the Diocesan Bishop. There is currently a vacancy in See for the Bishop of Carlisle.

The Diocese is divided into 11 deaneries, and then into 104 benefices, each with a serving vicar. Each benefice consists of one or more parishes of which there are a total of 263 in the Diocese.

This structure is designed to make sure that everyone in the country has a parish church where they have the legally enforceable right to be baptised, to be married and to be buried; and to make sure that there are intermediate levels of responsibility, accountability and support.