Pope Francis today appointed Monsignor Marcus Stock as the new Bishop of Leeds.
Mgr Stock is the outgoing general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Ordained in 1988, he has served as a parish priest across the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
He succeeds Archbishop Arthur Roche, who left for Rome in 2012 to serve as secretary to the Congregation for the Divine Worship.
One challenge he now faces is how to tackle the diocese's £2.7 million budget defecit. Last year it cut £800,000 from its central expenditure and put a freeze on parish building projects in order to balance its books.
The Cardinal-Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, expressed thanks for Mgr Stock’s years of service as General Secretary, a position he held since 2009.
“The Diocese of Leeds is receiving a fine man as its new bishop. He will bring his many abilities to his new calling. They are well known and widely appreciated. Most importantly of all, he brings his deep love of the Lord and His Church, the true source of his dedication, sensitivity, generosity and stability,” he said.
His comments were echoed by the Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, who added that Mgr Stock would be greatly missed by his priests and parishioners.
Mgr Stock said of his appointment: “I am overwhelmed at the trust which the Holy Father has placed in me.”
Addressing his new diocese he said: “Throughout my ministry as a priest, I have been sustained in grace by the prayers of the parishioners and religious that I have been privileged to serve and by the prayers of my brother clergy in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. This is the first thing for which I hope; to be assured of your prayers. And from now on, I assure you, for my part you will be in the first thoughts of my prayers each day,” he said.
The date of his episcopal ordination will be announced shortly.
Above: Pope Francis with Mgr Stock. Photo: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
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