We offer prayerful congratulations to our new Auxiliary Bishops, Timothy Menezes and Richard Walker, ordained today, Tuesday 16 July 2024.

It was a sight to behold at St Chad’s Cathedral as a full capacity congregation, the Cathedral Choir and CJM music joined the Mass of Ordination for two new Bishops.

Hundreds of people witnessed the Episcopal Ordination of Rev Mgr Timothy Menezes and Rev Canon Richard Walker, with many more joining via the live stream, on Tuesday 16 July, the Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 

The Mass booklet, with prayers and readings an be downloaded here: Mass Booklet Episcopal Ordinations 2024

Family, friends, supporters and fellow clergy filled the pews as Archbishop Bernard Longley celebrated the Mass, with concelebrating Bishops David Evans and Stephen Wright.

Mgr Timothy was supported by Canon Jonathan Veasey and Monsignor Mark Crisp.

Canon Richard was supported by Canon Paul Fitzpatrick and Canon Paul McNally.

The Mass of Ordination was also attended by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, who was the previous Archbishop of Birmingham.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía presented the mandates, issued by Pope Francis.

Cardinal Arthur Roche Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary (Relations with States) to the Holy See's Secretariat of the State both came from Rome to attend.

Bishop Ken Howell from the Diocese of Toowoomba in Australia was also in attendance.

A number of ecumenical guests were in the congregation including Bishop Michael Volland, the Bishop of Birmingham, Bishop Michael Ipgrave, the Bishop of Lichfield, and Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, the Bishop of Aston.

Pastoral Areas

Bishop Timothy (also Titular Bishop* of Dougga) will have responsibility for the Diocesan Pastoral Area of North Staffordshire, Stafford, Lichfield and Walsall and Dudley and Wolverhampton.

Bishop Richard (also Titular Bishop of Mortlach) will have responsibility for the Pastoral Area of Coventry, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire.

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure.

In his homily, Archbishop Bernard compared the two to 'episcopal twins': “Today’s celebration is truly notable on several counts.  

“It is a moment of exceptional joy for the life of our Archdiocese to receive from the Holy Father the gift of two new bishops who will serve our parishes and school communities and be available to support their brother priests and deacons. 

“For bishops-elect Timothy and Richard their vocations have arisen and been nurtured within the diocesan presbyterate to which they have each belonged for twenty-nine years and twenty-four years respectively.  

“They know that they can rely upon the prayers of the clergy whom each of them has served as Vicar General and who have just presented them for ordination here in the Cathedral.

“Timothy and Richard, you will also appreciate that today you are being welcomed into the College of Bishops by Bishop William and Bishop David, alongside Bishop Stephen and your brother bishops from within and beyond England and Wales who are present here in the Cathedral, as well as Bishop Philip Pargeter who is following the ceremony online from Grove House.

“The ordination of two bishops together – like episcopal twins - in the mother church of our Archdiocese serves to emphasise the ecclesial nature of what is taking place.  

“While the grace of this sacrament will build upon the natural gifts of these two priests and shape their lives and ministry, its primary and lasting purpose is for the service, sanctification and guidance of the faithful of Christ, lay and ordained together.”

Read the homily in full

Prayer

We ask Our Lady of Mount Carmel to pray for our new bishops:

Flower of Carmel,

Vine blossom laden,

Splendour of heaven, 

Child bearing, yet maiden,

None equals thee.

 

Mother so tender,

Whom no man didst know, 

On all Carmel’s children 

Thy favours bestow. 

Star of the sea.

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