Liverpool: ordination of Bishop Thomas Williams

The Solemn Mass for the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-designate Thomas Williams takes place tomorrow at noon at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool. The Rite of Ordination will be led by the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool. Bishops, priests, deacons and civic dignitaries from around the country are expected to attend - together with many parishioners from St Anthony's church, Scotland Road and Our Lady Immaculate church, Everton, where the Bishop-designate has been Parish Priest. The first reading will be taken from the Letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians (Chapter 2 Verses 2-8) and will be read by Mrs Aine Brodie, Headteacher of Our Lady Immaculate Roman Catholic Primary School, Everton. It will be followed by the singing of Psalm 116 in the setting by Philip Duffy and the reading from the Gospel of St Luke (Chapter 10 Verses 1-9). The Offertory gifts of bread and wine will be carried forward by members of the family of Bishop Williams. Taking part in the music of the Mass will be the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Mervyn Cousins. Bishops expected include: Bishop Vincent Malone (Liverpool); Bishop Kieran Conry (Arundel and Brighton); Bishop Ambrose Griffiths (Hexham and Newcastle); Bishop Augustine Harris (Middlesbrough); Bishop Alan Hopes (Westminster); Bishop Mark Jabale (Menevia); Bishop David Konstant (Leeds); Bishop Hugh Lindsay (Hexham and Newcastle); Bishop Bernard Longley (Westminster); Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue (Lancaster); Bishop John Rawsthorne (Hallam) and Bishop Arthur Roche (Leeds). Among civic VIPs coming to the celebration will be: The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside: Mr Alan Waterworth; The High Sheriff of Merseyside: Mr Robert Atlay; The Mayor of Wirral; The Mayor of St Helens; The Mayor and Mayoress of Knowsley; The Chairman of West Lancashire District Council; The Mayor and Mayoress of Wigan; The Mayor of Maghull and Consort; The Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington; The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Hale; Mr Anthony Brown: Consul of Iceland; Nunzia Bertali: Consul of Italy and Professor Simon Lee: Rector of Liverpool Hope University College. Source: Archdiocese of Liverpool