On Tuesday 18^th June in a full Westminster Cathedral, Bishop James Curry was ordained Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Westminster by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, along with principal co-consecrators Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP and Archbishop George Stack.

Bishop James Curry was appointed in April by Pope Francis and named titular Bishop of Ramsbury.

Just ahead of the ordination, in his homily, the Cardinal spoke about the particular responsibility of a Bishop as ‘the one sent to see, encourage, guide, correct’. This is done ‘in the same manner in which our Heavenly Father watches over us, with eyes first trained on our need for compassion, understanding and forgiveness.’

In doing so, the Cardinal said, focus must be placed on the distinctiveness and diversity of the places under the new bishop’s care, ‘for Kensington is not Kingsbury and Hounslow is not Harefield.’

The newly consecrated Bishop James thanked all those in attendance, particularly his friends and family, for their support and prayers. He expressed gratitude for the presence of many members of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, drawing attention to the plight of those suffering in the Holy Land and the need for a just and lasting peace.

Bishop Curry joins Bishops John Sherrington, Nicholas Hudson and Paul McAleenan as Auxiliary Bishop. He has particular responsibility for the pastoral care of the parishes and deaneries in the western area of the diocese. Please pray for the Cardinal and all our Auxiliary Bishops as they continue to lead us spiritually.

Watch the recording of the livestream on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel here.

Short biography

Born on 1^st Jun 1960
Attended Cardinal Griffin/St Philip Howard School, Poplar
Studied for the priesthood at Allen Hall Seminary, London
Ordained priest by Cardinal Hume on 17^th May 1986
Awarded STB (magna cum laude) by University of Leuven (1993)
Assistant Priest at Edmonton (1986-90) and Notting Hill (1990-94)
Private Secretary to Cardinal Hume and Cardinal Murphy O’Connor (1994-2002)
Parish Priest of Chiswick (2002-08) and Kensington (2008-present)
Appointed Chaplain to His Holiness (Monsignor) in 2001
Chair of the Council of Priests of the Diocese of Westminster (2012-present)
Episcopal Vicar for the West London pastoral area (2013-16)
Chaplain to the Lord Mayor of London (2020-21)
Prior of the Westminster Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre KCHS
Trustee of the Friends of the Holy Land and Pilgrimage People

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SOURCE:

https://rcdow.org.uk/

Photo: © mazur/cbcew.org.uk