Rector of Ushaw steps down

The rector of Ushaw College, Fr Jim O'Keefe, plans to retire from the post in July. The announcement was made in a statement from the northern bishops, confirming the Bishops' Conference decision that Ushaw is to continue as the north of England's seminary in the foreseeable future.

Fr Jim, 55, has held the post for seven years. In a statement to staff and students He said he had felt "very tired and stretched" and needed a break from the "totally absorbing and demanding job."

He suggested the top post at Ushaw, a 200-year-old college complex near Durham City, might be split with one man running the seminary and the other in charge of the "whole enterprise."

Fr O'Keefe forecast the seminary, the conference centre and the St Bede's Institute, which comprises 50 en-suite bedrooms in a wing at Ushaw, "can indeed go from strength to strength." Archbishop Kelly has said he would welcome suggestions for the "essential and desirable qualities needed for the new rector. He has also asked for names to be put forward.

His address is: Archdiocesan offices, Croxeth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AA.