Westminster says farewell to Bishop Bernard Longley

Bishop Bernard Longley

Source: Archbishops House

A Solemn Mass in Thanksgiving for Bishop Bernard Longley's ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster was celebrated at Westminster Cathedral on Friday 20 November.

Bishop Longley was named the ninth Archbishop of Birmingham on 1 October  2009.  He will be Installed as Archbishop of Birmingham at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of Saint Chad on 8 December 2009, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  He succeeds the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols (2000-2009).

At the start of the Mass, Bishop Longley expressed his gratitude to all those present. These included Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Auxiliary Bishops John Arnold, Alan Hopes and George Stack and over 80 Clergy of the Diocese of Westminster.  He also greeted ecumenical guests, who included the Bishop of Edmonton,
Peter Wheatley, the Archdeacon of Hackney, the Venerable Dr Lyle Dennen and the Superintendent of the Baptist Church Rev. Pat Took.

Homily

The Homily was given by Archbishop Vincent Nichols who paid tribute to Bishop Bernard Longley's work in the diocese and  highlighted his unfailing kindness, courtesy and sensitivity.  'The bonds between us will last,' said Archbishop Nichols 'and are deepened in this celebration of the Mass, thorough which God's hand holds us fast and through which His love is pulled into our hearts.'

After receiving news of his appointment in October, Bishop Bernard Longley said: "I feel immensely honoured and very humbled that the Holy Father has appointed me to succeed Archbishop Vincent Nichols as Archbishop of Birmingham.  I look forward to serving the Priests and Deacons, the Religious and all the People of the Archdiocese and to working alongside my brother Bishops there.  I also look forward to knowing and appreciating the life of the Diocese and the many ways in which it reaches out with the love and truth of Christ, in its parish and school communities and through ecumenical and inter-religious
friendships.  I am grateful to Bishop William Kenney for his faithful service as Diocesan Administrator over recent months and for the welcome that he has already shown to me.'

"It won't be easy to leave the Diocese of Westminster which has been my home for the past seven years.  It will be sad to say goodbye, especially to the East and Central London parishes where the Priests, Parishioners and Religious have become good friends.  It has been a privilege to work with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and my fellow Auxiliary Bishops and more recently with Archbishop Vincent, and I thank them for all that I have learnt from their insights and experience."

To hear Archbishop Vincent's Homily click on: www.rcdow.org.uk/multimedia/?page=audio&player=97