Former Anglican ordained priest for Arundel & Brighton

Bishop Moth and Fr Lusted exchange sign of peace during the ordination service

Source: Diocese of Arundel and Brighton

Deacon Jack Lusted was ordained a priest by Bishop Richard Moth for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton on 19 December, in Arundel Cathedral.

Father Jack was born in Eastbourne and brought up in Hailsham where he went to school before attending Sussex University. He worked as a Physics teacher and then with British Telecom before entering Anglican ministry. After training in Oxford, he worked in various Anglican parishes across Sussex before he, with his family, made the brave decision to be received into the Catholic Church in 2014.

Following his reception into the Catholic Church he was accepted for training for the Catholic priesthood at St John's Seminary, Wonersh, near Guildford, Surrey. He was ordained a deacon in June 2018 and has been working as a deacon in the parish of St Mary's, Crowborough until his ordination at Arundel on 19th December. He is currently awaiting an appointment to a parish.

Fr Jack now begins the next stage of his life as a Catholic priest in a parish saying Mass, visiting the sick, working with young people, celebrating funerals and baptisms, visiting local schools and much more.

Fr Jack said: "My ordination is the culmination of a process that has taken four years to complete, from the day when my family and I decided to respond to Our Lord's prayer that all might be one to today. While there have been challenges along the way, never once has that decision been doubted."

He continued, "It is a great joy and privileged to be ordained a Catholic priest. I look forward with eager anticipation to my work as a priest in Christ's church, and thank everyone for their support and encouragement."

At his ordination, Bishop Richard spoke of the mystery and wonder of the priesthood. He reminded Fr Jack, as a preacher and teacher for those in his pastoral care, his primary duty was to bring them more deeply into the mystery and wonder of the Word of God. Fr Jack's priesthood is not his, but a share in Christ's own priesthood, bringing something of the wonder of Christ 'who works through you.'

The ordination was followed by a reception in the Arundel Cathedral Centre where Fr Jack was warmly received by family, friends, clergy and parishioners.