March 18, 2020
The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Canon Stephen Wright and Canon David Evans to be the new Auxiliary Bishops to serve our Archdiocese. These appointments come following Bishop Robert Byrne’s appointment to Hexham and Newcastle in March 2019 and Bishop David McGough’s retirement on reaching the age of 75.…March 18, 2020
Coronavirus update The Lourdes Pilgrimage has been cancelled. Please visit here for more information.March 11, 2020
Hundreds of altar servers and their families from across the Archdiocese gathered on Saturday 7 March for the Guild of St Stephen Annual Mass of Thanksgiving. Rt Revd Bishop David McGough celebrated the Mass, which was served by St. Mary and St Modwen, Burton-on-Trent. The gifts were presented by Our…March 5, 2020
On Monday 2 March, the Feast Day of St Chad, Fr Stephen Wright, Vicar General for the Archdiocese, was installed as a canon of the Cathedral in the presence of the relics of St Chad. Becoming a canon means Fr Stephen is now part of the Chapter of Canons, who…March 2, 2020
Candidates and catechumens from across the Archdiocese gathered at St Chad's Cathedral to make a significant step towards their reception into the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election service was held on the First Sunday of Lent (Sunday 1 March) and celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley. This special Mass marked…February 28, 2020
Come and join us for the 2020 Annual Flower Festival of St Chad’s Cathedral Throughout 2020, the Catholic Church in England and Wales, in partnership with the Bible Society, is focusing on meeting Christ in the Scriptures with their exciting new campaign – ‘The God Who Speaks’. 2020 is the…February 26, 2020
An early morning Ash Wednesday service at St Chad’s Cathedral attracted dozens of people. The 7.45am Mass, led by cathedral Dean Mgr Tim Menezes, marked the start of three Ash Wednesday services today (Wed 26 Feb). At 12.15pm Archbishop Bernard Longley will celebrate Mass, and at 6pm the Cathedral Choir…February 24, 2020
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Fr Jan Nowotnik, a priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, as the National Ecumenical Officer and Secretary to the Department for Evangelisation and Discipleship at the Conference Secretariat in London. Fr Nowotnik is a…February 3, 2020
The annual Day for Religious was held at St Chad's Cathedral on Saturday 1 February.Keynote speaker Fr Martin Newell CP, a Religious himself, spoke about the climate emergency.An ecumenical Mass later in the day saw religious brothers and sisters renew their commitment to the service of Jesus Christ, the Light…December 12, 2019
On Monday 9th December, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Cathedral filled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Archbishop Bernard’s installation as Archbishop of Birmingham. The Mass was attended by children from St Chad’s Primary School and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School. Fr Dominic Cosslett, Archbishop’s secretary gave the…December 12, 2019
The magnificent organ at St Chad’s Cathedral is once again in tip-top condition following a major restoration project. During the summer months the organ, considered one of the finest modern instruments in the country, underwent a major overhaul, including repairs and cleaning. But it’s now back at its best and…November 29, 2019
This General Election is profoundly important to the United Kingdom. Catholics cannot simply “watch from the balcony.”[1] Conscious of the common good of every person and our society as a whole, we ask everyone to engage with the election and vote. Honest political activity depends upon integrity. We urge all…November 26, 2019
Hundreds gathered at St Chad’s Cathedral for the annual Civic Mass, on the occasion of The Feast of Christ the King. His Grace, The Most Rev Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, was Celebrant and Preacher at today’s (Sun 24 Nov) service.This is a special occasion in the Cathedral calendar as…November 15, 2019
The Catholic Church’s network of Marriage and Family Life ministry in England & Wales (MFL) are collaborating with the adoption and fostering charity Home for Good to find more families for children in need of loving and supportive homes. The new project was launched yesterday at the annual Diocesan Marriage…October 22, 2019
Hundreds gathered at St Chad’s Cathedral on Sunday 20th October to join in joyful celebration of Saint John Henry Newman. The ecumenical vespers (evening prayer) was also the unveiling and blessing of a new icon of Saint John Henry Newman, by iconographer Mrs Noreen Thornhill from Coventry. The service was…July 23, 2019
The diocese rejoiced on Saturday as three new priests were ordained by Archbishop Bernard Longley at St Chad’s Cathedral. Friends, family, clergy and well-wishers filled the Cathedral to witness this momentous day for Frs Marco Egawhary, Ryan Service and John Waters, who have spent several years studying at the Venerable…July 18, 2019
Fr Harry Curtis, Director for the Permanent Diaconate: Despite the counter-attractions of sporting events at Lords, Silverstone and Wimbledon on Sunday (14 July) afternoon a large congregation gathered at St Chad’s Cathedral. Permanent Deacons from across the Archdiocese, along with parishioners from St Marie’s parish in Rugby and Our Lady…June 27, 2019
A major overhaul of the stunning organ at St Chad’s Cathedral is now underway. The organ, considered one of the finest modern instruments in the country, is currently out-of-action. But rest assured, silence has not descended as a temporary organ is in situ. The £50,000 restoration project is being undertaken…June 24, 2019
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Birmingham on Sunday (23rd) to take part in a Corpus Christi procession. The Blessed Sacrament procession started at St Michael’s Church on Moor Street and finished at St Chad’s Cathedral. Archbishop Bernard Longley, along with several other Clergy and representatives from Religious…June 22, 2019
The Dowry Tour of Our Lady of Walsingham is now at St Chad’s Cathedral. The Slipper Chapel statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, along with the Dowry Tour Exhibition, opened yesterday evening (Thursday). Archbishop Bernard Longley led the Solemn Holy Mass, which signalled the start of a packed programme of…June 19, 2019
A Mass of Thanksgiving in honour of Bishop Robert Byrne was held at St Chad’s Cathedral on Tuesday, 18 June. Bishop Robert was appointed the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle earlier this year and was welcomed back to the Archdiocese of Birmingham for Tuesday's very special…June 18, 2019
Our annual flower festival at St Chad’s Cathedral is now becoming somewhat famous. Amongst our thousands of visitors this year we had people from Devon, Scotland, the Isle of Wight, Finland and the USA. Despite a few less displays visitors thought our 2019 festival was the best so far, and…May 23, 2019
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/11711/maryvale-to-merge-with-archdiocese-of-birminghamMay 13, 2019
Statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Spring 2019 Meeting At the end of our meeting in Valladolid, we thank Baroness Sheila Hollins and her team for their leadership of our days of safeguarding training. We thank especially the people who spoke to us of their experiences…
Photo Gallery Archbishop Bernard's Easter MessageApril 20, 2019
The narrative of the Lord's Passion according to St John. Thousands of people across the Archdiocese of Birmingham will have taken part in such services at their local church. Photo GalleryApril 20, 2019
Hundreds of people gathered on Good Friday to take part in the ecumenical Walk of Witness in Birmingham. The annual event, marking Christ’s journey to the cross, started once again from the Church in Carrs Lane and finished at St Chad’s Cathedral. Sharing the lead alongside Bishop David Urquhart, Bishop…April 20, 2019
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper took place at churches across the Archdiocese this Thursday, 18 April. Here at St Chad’s Cathedral, Acting Dean Mgr Timothy Menezes concelebrated the Holy Thursday Mass with His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley and Fr Christopher Thomas, visiting from the Bishops’ Conference. The Rector of…April 18, 2019
Hundreds gathered for the annual Chrism Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral yesterday (Wednesday 17th April). Archbishop Bernard Longley was joined by the Bishops, and many of the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese, at the Holy Week service. His Grace opened the Mass with special prayers to the clergy and…April 16, 2019
A rapidly changing landscape may be engulfing the Snow Hill skyline – but one constant is St Chad’s Cathedral. The Pugin masterpiece was the first Catholic Cathedral erected in Great Britain in 1841 following the Reformation of the 16th century. Its presence continues today, and St Chad’s is as welcoming…April 10, 2019
Please join Archbishop Bernard Longley, the Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, Bishop David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, and other Faith Leaders on the annual, ecumenical, Good Friday Walk of Witness. The walk starts at Carrs Lane Church, moving along High Street and New Street to the Council House. From there along…April 3, 2019
Pope Francis today released his Post-Synodal Exhortation Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive) to Young People and to the entire People of God, following the Synod of Bishops in October 2018. The theme of the Synod was "Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment". The Bishops' Conference of England & Wales…
March 28, 2019
Image: Pope Francis walks with young people during his visit to the Sanctuary of the Holy House on the feast of the Annunciation in Loreto, Italy, March 25, 2019 Photo: CNS photo/Vatican Media For Francis, the authority of the papacy does not rest on whether people kiss his ring but…March 11, 2019
“You did not choose me, no I chose you” 183 candidates from 52 parishes gathered at St Chads Cathedral today to make a significant step towards their reception into the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election marks the beginning of the final period of preparation for the reception of the…March 7, 2019
From the Catholic Bishops' Conference: As part of the preparations for our 2020 Initiative – The God who Speaks: The Year of the Word, we’re conducting a very short survey about how we see and use the Bible. We’d like as many Catholics as possible to do this survey so that…March 7, 2019
Yesterday the Ash Wednesday service took place in churches and schools across the Archdiocese to mark the start of the Lenten season. Lent is traditionally a 40-day fast — a reference to the time Jesus spent being tempted in the desert. It is a time when we can prepare our…February 28, 2019
http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/February 13, 2019
On Tuesday 12 February 2019 Pope Francis cleared the way for the canonisation of the much-loved educationalist Cardinal John Henry Newman. The Pope received Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorised him to promulgate two decrees on miracles for sainthood, a…February 13, 2019
On Sunday 10th February, St Chads Cathedral held a special celebration for parishioner Alice Milton, for her 100th birthday. A regular worshipper at St Chad's, Alice has lived all her life in Ladywood. She was a confirmed, had communion and was a regular worshipper at St Peter's Church on Broad…February 8, 2019
The stunning organ at St Chad’s Cathedral is to undergo a major overhaul to ensure its continued use for decades to come. After almost 25 years in use – the organ was installed as part of the Cathedral’s 150th anniversary restoration – it’s time for a complete restoration. The project…February 4, 2019
The Holy See today announced that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Robert Byrne as Bishop of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Bishop Byrne succeeds The Right Reverend Séamus Cunningham, who has been Bishop of the Diocese since 2009. Bishop Byrne will be the fourteenth Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.…February 4, 2019
Over 6,500 years of marriage has been celebrated at St Chad’s Cathedral today (Sun) – a truly remarkable achievement. The Cathedral was packed as almost 200 couples, and their families, gathered to take part in the diocese’s first Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage. It really was a sight to behold as…February 4, 2019
Over 100 people turned out for a special ecumenical Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral. on this Day for Religious, where religious sisters reaffirmed their vows and Jubilarians celebrated over 700 years’ worth of service. Following an inspirational speech by Sr Dr Finbarr Coffey, Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley…January 30, 2019
An initiative of Catholic bishops in cooperation with the "Bible Society" will support and fund new proposals. The project includes a Gospel for people with autism and the Gospel of Matthew in sign language for hearing-impaired persons. Initiatives include a work of art brought across all twenty-two Catholic dioceses of…January 23, 2019
Pope Francis should write a post-synodal apostolic exhortation following the close of the 2018 Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment. At the Sept. 18, 2018, press conference announcing the pope's apostolic constitution Episcopalis Communio on changes to the rules concerning voting members and the preparation…January 17, 2019
The Holy Land Coordination stands in solidarity with all Christians in Israel and Palestine. Our ongoing advocacy for a just peace is informed by an annual pilgrimage to meet with our sisters and brothers, listen to them, and witness the challenges they face. This year our focus has been those…
January 11, 2019
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican launched an official track team Thursday with the aim of competing in international competitions as part of an agreement signed with the Italian Olympic Committee. About 60 Holy See runners — Swiss Guards, priests, nuns, pharmacists and even a 62-year-old professor who works in the…January 4, 2019
Press Release for immediate Release, 4.1.2019 The Lead Catholic Bishop for Migration and Asylum has called for asylum seekers crossing the English Channel to be treated with dignity and spoken out against the dehumanising rhetoric that has characterised debate in recent weeks. Bishop Paul McAleenan said today: “All people fleeing…January 3, 2019
Pope Francis delivered a homily at Mass on New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of the Mother of God. On 1 January, the Church also observes the World Day of Peace. Full official English translation of Pope Francis’ homily for the Mass on New Year’s Day Homily of His Holiness Pope…January 3, 2019
Milestone marriages are to be celebrated by the Archdiocese of Birmingham and the hunt is now on to find the longest married couple! As part of Marriage Week, which runs from February 7 to 14, a Thanksgiving Mass is to be held at St Chad’s Cathedral at 11am on Sunday…