Verse of the Day
" That evening, after sunset, they brought to Jesus all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils "
Today's readings
Sunday Bulletin
Catholic Church
Archbishop Longley installed ninth Archbishop of Birmingham
The Most Rev Bernard Longley, formerly an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, has been Installed as the ninth Archbishop of Birmingham.
The Mass and Installation took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of Saint Chad on 8 December 2009 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and one of the patronal feasts of the Archdiocese (St Chad being the other).
The appointment was announced by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 1 October 2009. He succeeds the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols (2000-2009).
On learning of the Papal announcement, the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols said: “I welcome the news of the appointment of Bishop Bernard Longley as Archbishop of Birmingham. I am confident that he will be warmly welcomed, right across the Archdiocese: in Stoke on Trent, Stafford, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Birmingham, Worcester and Oxford. The clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese will appreciate the qualities he brings: his gentleness and sensitivity; his firmness and intelligence; his profound and joyful faith; his willingness to listen.
Bishop Longley was ordained priest and later bishop by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor. About the appointment, the Cardinal said: "I had the privilege of ordaining Bishop Bernard as a priest in 1981 and later as a bishop in 2003. Bishop Bernard has been an exceptionally good priest and bishop, exhibiting at all times those Christian qualities of kindness and compassion in his ministry. The priests and people of the Archdiocese of Birmingham should rejoice and be glad in welcoming their new Archbishop who will, I know, prove a most generous and caring shepherd.”
Archbishop Bernard Longley in his homily at the Mass for his Installation at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad said: "'Where are you?' is still a question about identity and purpose that God asks of us today. It is asked of the people of Birmingham and of the other six cities within the Archdiocese. In forming local communities that have confidence in finding creative and fruitful answers to that question I am grateful that our Catholic Archdiocese works alongside Christians from all the other Churches in a spirit of ecumenical co-operation and commitment. It is good to know that we shall experience and express our communion together in prayer, witness and outreach, and I am grateful that so many of the other Church Leaders are here with us today".