Birmingham: new Canons bring 'gifts and experience' to St Chad's

Two new Canons were installed during the monthly Chapter Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral & Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham, on Tuesday 3 February, writes Peter Jennings.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols admitted Canon Mervyn Tower, Parish Priest of St John the Evangelist, Banbury and Canon Michael Neylon, Parish Priest of St Austin, Stafford, as Canons of the Metropolitan Chapter.

Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, and Provost of the Chapter then installed them.

Despite the inclement weather a congregation of more than 400 people, including many friends and parishioners of the two new Canons, packed the Cathedral situated near Birmingham city centre.

The Mass was celebrated by Canon Tom Farrell, Parish Priest, Christ the King, Coventry. The homily was preached by Canon Mervyn Tower, a distinguished scripture scholar.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: "I welcome the two new Canons, one form the northerly part of the Archdiocese and the other from Oxfordshire."

The Archbishop of Birmingham added: "They bring particular gifts and experience to the Chapter and, therefore, to the wide life of the Archdiocese of Birmingham."