Catholic and Loving it!

That was quick...

Our new Bishop is Mgr Terrence Drainey.

I give thanks to Almighty God for all his gifts and blessing, especially the gift of priestly ministry. I personally thank the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, for appointing me to Middlesbrough and for allowing me to serve the Church as a bishop here. All my life as a priest I have only wanted to be a pastor serving the Lord and his people wherever the Church has sent me. So I sincerely rejoice to be given the ministry of pastor of this great diocese rich in lives faithful to the Gospel throughout history and to this present day.

As your bishop elect, I come among you as a brother who, from personal experience, knows the need we all have of God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness. The Gospel that we bring must proclaim God’s infinite love and pardon. Even in darkness we trust that Christ will be our light and as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, we can face all disappointments, broken promises and even overcome despair. It is in this joyful hope that I look forward to serving the people of the Diocese of Middlesbrough as soon as I can. Particularly I would like to meet with the clergy of the diocese at the earliest opportunity for they are my helpers and counsellors.

I realise that I tread on holy ground here where many great and saintly ones have gone before me. How could I not remember that especially today, the feast of St Hilda of Whitby? I am very proud and privileged to follow a good and kindly pastor like Bishop John Crowley. In my present position as President of Ushaw College I worked closely with him and was a frequent recipient of his patient, generous wisdom.

The work in which I am at present engaged in the Seminary at Ushaw College demands that I remain there for a little while longer before being ordained as Bishop of Middlesbrough. I will finish this academic term and then will receive episcopal ordination on 25 January at 12.00 noon.

In the meantime, I ask for prayers: prayers for your former Bishop, John Crowley and those who have undertaken the task of running the diocese since his resignation was accepted; prayers for the good of all the people of this Church, and finally prayers that I might be a good and effective pastor for the diocese of Middlesbrough.

It's really great news that we have a bishop at last! We are headless chickens no more.

So what do we know about our new Bishop?

Firstly, I know that I've already been given three separate dire warnings not to try and write anything funny about him. Maybe he doesn't have a sense of humour or maybe the people warning me would have said that no matter who was made Bishop.

Secondly, Don't mention the Tea! - As president of Ushaw College he presided over a course called How to be a good priest in England which aimed "to dispel unhelpful notions of Britishness, such as maids cycling across village greens, warm beer and drinking tea".

Finally, I know that Benedict XVI says he's the right man for the job. That's good enough for me.

Welcome to Middlesbrough Mgr Drainey (don't forget to come to Hull sometime...)