Archbishop Longley blesses new building at Oxford Oratory

Oxford Oratory

Archbishop Bernard Longley blessed the new building at the Oxford Oratory in Woodstock Road, after he had celebrated the 11am Mass at St Aloysius’ parish church, run by the Oratory Fathers, on Sunday, 4 August.

Afterwards the Archbishop of Birmingham said: “I was delighted to be in Oxford with the Fathers of the Oratory to celebrate the completion of the first phase of their building project. For several years they have been living in cramped quarters, even in the cellars and attics of St Aloysius’ Rectory, but now they have much more suitable, modern accommodation. This will help them to organise their lives of prayer and service for the benefit of the parish and the many chaplaincies they provide.”

Archbishop Longley said: “I was delighted to view and bless the new accommodation, the library and the refurbished parish hall. Metropolitan Kallistos Ware from the Orthodox community in Canterbury Road accompanied me as a gesture of ecumenical friendship and also blessed the new building with me.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley added: “I congratulate the Oratory Fathers and all the parishioners on the success of the fund-raising campaign and on the beautiful and practical outcome of all their work. I wish them well with the next phase of the project to provide a new chapel and shrine to Blessed John Henry Newman.”