Habemus Episcopum!

On Friday, after over 18 months since Bishop Mark became the Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia, it was announced that Pope Francis had appointed Canon Christopher Whitehead as the Bishop-Elect for our diocese. This is an important moment of grace for our diocese and most appropriate that it has been announced just prior to Gaudete Sunday – the Sunday of Rejoicing!

The following message and biography of Canon Christopher was issued by Canon Paul Cummins, who has been looking after our diocese as the Diocesan Administrator:

“I am pleased to let you know that today Canon Christopher Whitehead has been announced as the Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Plymouth.

I am sure you will want to join with me in wishing him a warm welcome and every success as he takes up this important ministry. Bishop-elect Christopher brings with him nearly 30 years of pastoral experience, most recently serving as parish priest of St John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bath.

Born in Gloucester in August 1969 to parents Leslie and Christine, Bishop-elect Christopher Whitehead is the oldest of three siblings, with brothers Craig and Anthony. His youngest brother, Anthony, lives in the Diocese of Plymouth. His local parish, St Peter’s, was to lie at the heart of his education and formation. He was baptised, made his first Holy Communion, was confirmed and ordained in St Peter’s Church. Bishop-elect Christopher attended St Peter’s Catholic Infant, Primary and Secondary School before studying for the priesthood at St Mary’s, Oscott, after leaving school in 1987.

  On 30 November 1993, he was ordained deacon at St Peter’s Catholic Church, and then seven months later on 1 July 1994, was ordained priest by Bishop Mervyn Alexander. The Bishop-elect has never forgotten the guiding hand of Bishop Alexander, who he says offered him the opportunity to grow as a man of faith. It was his inspiration, encouragement, and example of gentleness, patience, and love that drew him towards the priesthood.

He was to serve the Diocese of Clifton as a priest for almost three decades, his first post as a curate at St Mary’s, Bath, from 1994-1996. His next appointment was to Holy Family parish in Swindon, before serving at St Mary-on-the-Quay in Bristol from 1996–1998. During this time, he was also chaplain to University Hospital Bristol. Having served at the Cathedral as an assistant priest for two years until 2000, he was appointed to his first parish St George’s in Warminster.

  Bishop-elect Christopher has also served the diocesan curia in a number of important roles: Director of Adult Education (to 2018), Director of Ongoing Formation of Priests (until 2020), Director of Formation for the permanent diaconate (to present).

In 2018, he returned to parish ministry at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Stroud, before moving to his present post as parish priest of St John the Evangelist in Bath, a year later in 2019. He was appointed a member of the Cathedral Chapter in 2020. He has a great love and appreciation for art, and in his spare time enjoys going to the cinema and sharing food with friends and family.

  Bishop-elect Christopher will be ordained and installed as the new Bishop of Plymouth at a Mass to be held at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Boniface, Plymouth.  Further details of this ceremony, including the date, will be provided in time.

I know you will give Bishop-elect Christopher the warm welcome our diocese is known for as he takes up this new role of service. I will be sharing more details about the ordination and installation and opportunities to meet our new Bishop over the coming weeks. Please join me in welcoming Bishop-elect Christopher. His prayerful presence among us will surely strengthen and guide our Diocese in the years ahead.”

Bishop-Elect Christopher will be ordained as the 10^th Bishop of Plymouth on a date yet to be fixed in February 2024. In the meantime, Canon Paul will continue to lead our Diocese. Let us keep both of them in our prayers.

Advent Faith Formation

Canon Kristian will be leading the last session of adult faith formation based on the Advent Sunday readings this Wednesday, 20 December, starting at 7.00pm in the Hall. All are welcome to come along and take part.

Flowers for Christmas at St James

Some containers will be left in the hall for Parishioners to take home and create flower arrangements for Christmas.  The colour scheme this year is red, gold and white with greenery. Please return arrangements on Saturday 23 or Sunday 24 December. 

“Name the Bear”

A Harrods Millenium Bear, which has been generously donated to the parish, needs a new home! For just 50p a go, you can try to guess the bear’s name from a list of possible names. The name has been chosen by Canon Kristian and the winner of the bear will be announced on 2 February.