Pope Francis appoints two new auxiliary bishops to Westminster

Pope Francis has appointed two new Auxiliary Bishops of the Diocese of Westminster, Canon Paul McAleenan and Mgr John Wilson.

The ordinations of the two new auxiliaries will take place at Westminster Cathedral on 25 January, which is the feast of the Conversion of St Paul. They will join Bishop John Sherrington and Bishop Nicholas Hudson as Bishops of the Diocese of Westminster.

Born in Belfast in 1951, Canon McAleenan has been parish priest of Holy Rood, in Watford, Hertfordshire since 2001 and was appointed a member of the Cathedral Chapter in 2010.

Mgr Wilson, who was born in Sheffield in 1968 was a chaplain in Leeds prison for six years before being named a chaplain to Pope Benedict XVI in May 2011. He is currently parish priest for St Martin de Porres, in Wakefield.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, said: “Today I thank God for this gift of two new bishops for service in our diocese. As Pope Francis has made clear, the name of a new bishop is written by Jesus himself. So today I say “Thanks be to God!’

From left: Bishop-elect John Wilson, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Bishop-elect Paul McAleenan

“I am also most thankful to Pope Francis for this important strengthening of our diocesan family in our striving to be faithful to the Lord and to the mission he has given to us all.

“The role of the bishop is one of demanding service and here we are blessed by these additions to the oversight and encouragement which we can offer, in the name of the Good Shepherd, to our priests and people,” Cardinal Nichols said after the announcement.

“Bishop-elect Paul McAleenan has served this diocese for many years and now he will continue to do so in this new ministry. He steps forward for this ordination from the ranks of much-loved parish priests, whose faithful service and generosity are deeply appreciated.

“His experience and voice will be a great addition to the episcopal ministry we can offer together.

“I extend my thanks to the Diocese of Leeds and to Bishop Marcus Stock. Mgr Wilson has been nurtured and formed in and for that diocese. So I thank everyone there for this act of generosity. God always rewards this generous giving to the wider Church. We will benefit from his experience and his enthusiasm and we will take good care of him.

“On behalf of my fellow bishops here, Bishop John Sherrington and Bishop Nicholas Hudson, I welcome our new brother bishops. I assure them of a warm welcome from our priests and people.”

Canon Paul McAleenan said: “It is with a sense of inadequacy and unworthiness that I accept this office. To be a bishop was never a part of my plans and certainly not my expectation.

“I know it is only with the help of God I can carry out this ministry in a way that is pleasing to him.  God in his wisdom, as Scriptures record, chooses unlikely figures to lead his people. It is in this God that I place my trust.

“The Church exists to evangelise, to give hope, to guide, to lead, to bring people to experience the presence and the love of Christ. My hope is that, under the leadership of Pope Francis, all means of evangelisation, including new initiatives in the Diocese of Westminster, will be grasped to continue this mission.”

Mgr John Wilson said: “I am rarely lost for words, but when His Excellency Archbishop Mennini, the Apostolic Nunio, informed me that I had been nominated by Pope Francis as an Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster I was reduced to silence.

“Aware of my unworthiness it was only after prayer, and with complete trust in God’s provident goodness, that I accepted. It is such an enormous privilege to be asked to serve the Lord and his Church in this way. I can only do so seeking to follow the example of the Lord Jesus who came humbly in service of all.

“I realise that I have much to learn as this new chapter of my ministry begins. I ask for prayer, especially as the Year of Mercy approaches, that I might serve the Lord’s desire that reconciliation take root in our hearts and bear the fruit of peace for our world.”