Thought for the week
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With the greatest possible joy, I am delighted to pass on to you the news that the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed Father Stephen Wang, until now the Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, as the Sixth Bishop of Arundel and Brighton. Bishop-Elect Stephen will receive episcopal ordination and take canonical possession of the Diocese at some point in the second half of October, until which time the See remains vacant.
Herewith a message to us all from Bishop-elect Stephen.
He has also recorded a video message for parishes which can be watched here:
Message from Bishop-Elect Stephen Wang
Dear friends in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, dear brothers, and sisters.
I’m so happy to be appointed as your new bishop, and I am really looking forward to meeting you and getting to know the Diocese – the priests and deacons, those in consecrated life, all the lay faithful, and so many others. I’m really looking forward to visiting our parishes and schools, and all the other communities that make up our Diocese. I’m just sorry that I can’t get back to be with you at this time because we have our diaconal ordination in Rome this weekend.
As you can imagine, the news came as a complete surprise to me. The first thing I did after being told on Tuesday morning was to visit St Peter’s Basilica. I prayed at the tombs of St Peter and St John Paul II for you all and offered Mass for the Diocese.
There are many challenges ahead, but I am full of hope. I’ve seen so many times what God can do when people pray and work together, and when they put their trust in him. If we listen to one another, and to the Lord, then he will show us the way forward.
You have been very blessed to have Archbishop Richard with you over these years. I keep being told what a wonderful diocese it is and how lucky I am to be going there! Which I certainly am. I want to thank Canon Jonathan Martin as well, for looking after things so well in this interim period.
Let’s pray for each other, and for our Diocese. Please pray for me and for my intentions. I put all my trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in his Church, and in his mother Mary. His love is so powerful. There is so much to be grateful for, and so much to do. I pray that we can grow in holiness together, be of service to those around us, and help all people to know the love and mercy of Jesus Christ and the message of the Gospel.
Bishop-elect Stephen
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New Bishop Announcement!