This text was taken from Bishop Philip’s weekly newsletter. To keep up to speed with what happens in the Diocese, you can subscribe to the e-news through here.

Over these last weeks of summer, we have been planning the deployment of our clergy from the autumn. Today in e-News, I am happy to announce the new clergy appointments effective from 8th September 2024, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I would like to express great gratitude to the priests who are leaving or stepping down for all their hard work for the Lord in their current appointments, and to thank those who are taking on new assignments. It is very moving to receive the humble obedience and joyful willingness of these priests. Moving from one appointment or diocesan role and then settling into another is about the hardest thing we do as diocesan priests. It is also a very great challenge for our deacons and – of course – not least for all our parishioners. So, thank you to you all. I pray earnestly that the Lord will grant us the strengthening and refreshing grace we need. Whilst the appointments become effective on 8th September, some of the exact changeover dates will vary depending on the schedules of both incoming and outgoing priests.
 

Clergy Moves
(in alphabetical order)

Please pray for the following.  

• Fr. Samuel Alabi MSP becomes Priest in Charge of South Wight
• Fr. Ryan Browne (newly ordained) becomes Assistant Priest at the Cathedral
• Fr. Pedro Hernadez O’Hagan becomes Assistant Priest at St. Peter and the Winchester Martyrs
• Fr. Inna Gade becomes Parochial Administrator and acting Dean of Guernsey
• Fr. Tom Hiney, becomes the Assistant Priest at Waterlooville
• Dom Alban Hood OSB becomes the Priest in Charge of Ringwood and Fordingbridge
• Fr. James Lewis becomes Parochial Administrator and acting Coordinating Pastor of Waterlooville, Horndean and Leigh Park
• Fr. Alexander McAllister SDS becomes Priest in Charge of Southbourne
• Fr. Benedict Ndkum becomes the Assistant Priest of Guernsey
• Canon Christopher Rutledge becomes the Parish Priest and Coordinating Pastor of Andover
• Fr. Benedikt Timpe, becomes the Assistant Priest of Fareham
• Canon Simon Treloar becomes the Priest in Charge of Cowes and East Cowes
• Fr. Stephen Vooght becomes the Priest in Charge of Tadley.

 Deacons

• Rev. Emmanuel Chituh (newly ordained) will serve as deacon in St. Swithun Wells Parish and Pastoral Area
• Rev. Diego Hoyos is appointed to St. Edmund and St. Joseph’s Southampton
• Rev. Richard Martin (newly ordained) will serve as deacon in Christchurch & Highcliffe parishes.

Missio

• Fr. Johnpromise Umeozuru becomes our diocesan link-person for Missio.

Retirements
We give many thanks to God for the dedicated ministry of the following priests who are retiring this autumn:

• Mgr. Jeremy Garratt from Waterlooville and Horndean
• Dom Austin Gurr OSB from Andover
• Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris from Cowes and East Cowes
• Fr. Patrick Tansey from Tadley
• Mgr. Paul Townsend from Ringwood and Fordingbridge.