The Call to Mission
Latest News (2nd July)
New Bishop for Arundel & Brighton
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Stephen Wang as the new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton Diocese.
Ordained to the priesthood on 3 January 1998, Fr Stephen has spent the last five years as Rector of the Venerable English College, one of two English and Welsh seminaries in Rome training men for the priesthood. On hearing of his appointment, Bishop-elect Stephen, said:
“This appointment has come as a huge surprise. I feel a mixture of gratitude and trepidation; an excitement and curiosity about all that lies ahead; and above all, a sense of peace. I’m grateful to Pope Leo for calling me and putting his trust in me, and to Archbishop Moth for all his care for the Diocese over these years.
I am overjoyed at the thought of coming to Arundel & Brighton, getting to know the people, and working together to build God’s Kingdom. I will need lots of prayers and support. I hope that even with all my weaknesses I can be a loving shepherd, a spiritual father, and a brother as well. I know that if we put the love of Jesus and Mary at the centre of everything we do, and always seek to love and serve one another, then we cannot go wrong. Jesus will guide us through his Holy Spirit, lead us to the Father, and help us to lead others along the same path.”
Canon Jonathan Martin, Diocesan Administrator, said:
“I am delighted that the Holy Father has appointed Fr Stephen Wang as our new bishop, and I am certain that this news will bring great joy to all the Faithful of the Diocese. Bishop-elect Stephen will be known to many of us; we assure him of an affectionate welcome and of our prayers as he prepares himself for his episcopal ordination, and this new ministry to which the Lord has called him."
The Mass of Episcopal Ordination and Installation will take place at the Cathedral Church of Our Lady and St Philip Howard, Arundel, in the Autumn. You can watch a message from Bishop-elect Stephen
Recent News (25th May)
DEANERY CONFIRMATONS 9th MAY
We celebrate the Confirmation of one hundred and twenty young people in five liturgies held across our deanery today:
> one at Our Lady & St Peter, LEATHERHEAD
> one at St Ann's, BANSTEAD
> one at Sacred Heart, COBHAM
> and two at St Joseph's Church, EPSOM:
... for candidates from Epsom and Ewell in the morning: Canon Bill Davern presided, assisted by Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith, Fr Simon Hall, Fr Gary Carter (who gave the homily), and Deacon Ian Wells;
... for candidates from Ashtead, Dorking, Effingham & Fetcham, Tadworth and our Portuguese-speaking community in the afternoon: Fr Chris Bergin presided, assisted by Fr Simon Iduh, Fr Charles Howell (who gave the homily), and Deacon Ian Wells
... music at both services was led by singers from St Andrew's School, Leatherhead
MESSAGE FROM FR JONATHAN MARTIN,
DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR
My dear brothers and sisters,
It’s become a regular Sunday evening ‘thing' for me to flick through parish websites and social media platforms to get a glimpse of the life of our communities of faith. How blessed we are to be in such good company with one another in our discipleship of Jesus and in our service of the Gospel. I
recently spent a week in Rome with the Bishops of England and Wales, amongst whom there was much talk of, and encouraging interest in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan. I know that, across the Diocese, you are working closely with your priests and deacons to help realise the beautiful vision Bishop (Archbishop) Richard set out for us in ’The Word Who is Life’.
I pray for you all daily. I’m especially mindful of the people of the parishes in which I have been privileged to serve; of the specific needs, sorrows, and joys marking the life of our parish communities in any given week; and of those whose names appear in your newsletters by reason of receiving the Sacraments, or in sickness or bereavement, and the souls of those of our number who have died. All of these prayers I gather together in the Mass I am asked to offer each Sunday ‘for all the people of the Diocese’. Please pray for me; and keep praying, each day, for the election of a new Bishop for our Diocese.
God bless you all,
Diocesan Administrator
