THE NEW Bishop of Oswestry has been announced by the Government, as part of wider national changes, and will take over 13 dioceses.
The announcement, by 10 Downing St, on Thursday, December 1 revealed that Revd Paul Thomas will be the new Bishop of Oswestry in the Diocese of Lichfield, West Midlands and South West of England.
Father Paul is currently the Vicar of St James’s Church in Paddington, London, but he called the move 'both humbling and exhilarating'.
He said: "The call of the Church to serve God in this apostolic ministry is both humbling and exhilarating.
"I look forward to working in close and happy collegiality with Bishop Michael, his gifted brother and sister bishops in Lichfield Diocese, and with all bishops across the 13 dioceses that fall within the new See of Oswestry.
He added: "Strengthened by the example and intercession of St Chad and the many saints of his age, I commit myself to being a missionary bishop, a dedicated pastor, and a vigorous evangelist of the Faith, serving joyfully all those who look to me as their source of sacramental life in Christ."
Although his seat is named for Oswestry, he will live centrally in Lichfield Diocese to allow him easy access to transport networks as he supports churches across these dioceses.
The move is part of wider changes nationally to continue to offer extended episcopal care to parishes that on theological grounds cannot accept the priestly or episcopal ministry of women.
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It sees the relocation of the centrally-funded post of Provincial Episcopal Visitor from the See of Ebbsfleet to the See of Oswestry, which has been revived specifically for this purpose.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: "I am delighted to welcome Father Paul Thomas as the new Bishop of Oswestry.
"In his new role he will have the support of being embedded with a strong diocesan team, while keeping his shared responsibility with Bishop Norman of Richborough for Traditional Catholics across the Province of Canterbury.
"I send my very best wishes and assurance of my prayers to Father Paul, to all in Traditional Catholic parishes, and all in the Diocese of Lichfield."
Father Paul will be consecrated as Bishop of Oswestry at Canterbury Cathedral in February 2023.
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