Fr Michael Campbell, who taught religious studies at Austin Friars, became the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Lancaster, which covers the Catholic church in Cumbria.His ordination took place at St Peter’s Cathedral, in Lancaster, in the presence two cardinals, two archbishops, 32 bishops and around 200 British priests and deacons.
During the ceremony he quoted St Augustine, saying: “For you I am a bishop; with you I am a Christian. I ask for your prayers as I begin my ministry as a bishop.”
It was a highly significant event for the Catholic Church as Fr Campbell is the first Augustinian Friar to be ordained in England since Henry the Eighth’s Reformation 500 years ago.
It was also 46 years since a bishop was ordained in the cathedral.
He was ordained by his predecessor at Lancaster, Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue, who was assisted by the Archbishop of Liverpool, Patrick Kelly, and the Bishop of Shrewsbury, Brian Noble – both of whom hail from the Lancaster Diocese.
Also present was Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, the Papal Ambassador to the Court of St James.
In his address he described Fr Campbell’s appointment to Lancaster as a home-coming, saying: “You were ordained priest here, you taught here, and you have many friends here.”
The ordination took place during Mass, when Fr Campbell’s letter of appointment from the Pope was read.
The homily was given by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, England’s Roman Catholic leader, the Archbishop of Westminster, followed by the rite of ordination. After prayers, each of the bishops in turn laid their hands on Fr Campbell’s head – a sign of passing on the authority they share as bishops.
The Book of the Gospels was then held over his head as a symbol of the inspiration the Gospel continues to offer the church as a rule of faith.
The three bishops said the prayer of consecration and the new bishop was anointed with chrism.
He then received the Book of Gospels, before being presented with the bishops’ symbols, the ring, mitre and crosier.
The cathedral was filled to capacity with representatives of every parish in the diocese, which cover all Cumbria, as well as family and friends.
Afterwards 450 people attended a reception.
During the last 10 years, Fr Campbell has worked in the Westminster Diocese. For the first part of his new ministry, he will work alongside Bishop O’Donoghue, living at St Mary’s, Barrow before moving to Lancaster when his predecessor officially retires in the summer.
At the ordination, Bishop O’Donoghue described it as a privilege and honour to conduct the historic ceremony.
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