Cardinal Cormac celebrates 60 years of priesthood

Cardinal Cormac with Bishop Richard

Rt Rev Richard Moth, Bishop of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton welcomed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and former Bishop of Arundel & Brighton to Arundel Cathedral on Sunday 27 November to celebrate 60 years of priesthood.

Cardinal Cormac was ordained a priest on 28 October 1956 in Rome before returning to the Diocese of Portsmouth to work. In 1971 he was appointed Rector of the English College in Rome from where he was called to become Bishop of Arundel & Brighton on 17 November 1977. He was Bishop of Arundel & Brighton for nearly 23 years. On 15 November 2000, he was as installed as tenth Archbishop of Westminster and made a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on 21 February 2001. He now lives a busy retirement.

Bishop Richard said, in welcoming the Cardinal back to his old Diocese, that in saving his final Diamond Jubilee celebration for Arundel & Brighton Diocese, the Cardinal "had saved the best wine till last!"

Cardinal Cormac, during his homily, whilst looking back with great affection to his time in the Diocese said that "We should not look backwards, for we are an Advent people, looking forward with hope." He spoke of his continual trust in the Lord who is full of mercy and compassion. He reflected that the Lord was present both in the hopes and joys as well as the griefs and sorrows of life.

At the end of Mass Bishop Richard again thanked Cardinal Cormac for his presence here which was echoed in long and warm applause from the congregation.

Source: Diocese of A&B