Deacon from Birmingham sings at Pope's Funeral Mass

Source: CCN

The English deacon sang the Gospel at the Funeral Mass for Pope John Paul II in St Peter's Square, on Friday was Paul Moss, from the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Deacon Paul Moss, 28, is studying for the priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome. Speaking from the College after the Mass he said: "It has been an extremely moving experience. It was a great honour and privilege for me to be the deacon for this Mass and to proclaim the Gospel to so many millions of people throughout the world.

"Earlier this week I was invited to take part, and yesterday evening I attended a rehearsal."

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, also speaking from Rome, where he did commentary on the Pope's Funeral for the BBC, said: "We are all very proud of Paul. He did everything that was asked of him with dignity. But I know it won t go to his head."

He added: "I pray and trust that Paul will be a splendid priest for the Archdiocese of Birmingham."

Father Aldo Tapparo, Parish Priest of St Peter's, Leamington Spa, where Deacon Paul Moss will be ordained by Archbishop Nichols on Saturday, 23 July, said: "Paul is a fine and focussed young man, and it has been a pleasure to see the seeds of his vocation blossom over the years that I have known him. I look forward to his ordination to the priesthood, and I am sure he will be a fine priest."

Paul Moss regularly served Mass at the Birmingham Oratory, founded by Cardinal Newman, while he was studying theology at Birmingham University, 1996 to 1999. He was born in Cowley, Oxford, on the 20 February 1977. He attended St Mary's Primary School in Bicester and Magdalene College School, Oxford, 1988 to 1995. In 1999 Paul was accepted for formation as a student for the priesthood in the Birmingham Archdiocese and is studying at the Venerable English College in Rome. He will be ordained as a priest by Archbishop Vincent Nichols on Saturday, 23 July 2005 at St Peter's church, Leamington Spa.