Fr Stephen Wang appointed new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton

Bishop-elect Stephen Wang in the garden of the Venerable English College, Rome

Source: CBCEW

Pope Leo XIV has today appointed Fr Stephen Wang as the new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton Diocese. Fr Steven succeeds Archbishop Richard Moth as the Sixth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton.

Ordained to the priesthood on 3 January 1998, Fr Stephen has spent the last five years as Rector of the Venerable English College, one of two English and Welsh seminaries in Rome training men for the priesthood. On hearing of his appointment, Bishop-elect Stephen, said: "This appointment has come as a huge surprise. I feel a mixture of gratitude and trepidation; an excitement and curiosity about all that lies ahead; and above all, a sense of peace. I'm grateful to Pope Leo for calling me and putting his trust in me, and to Archbishop Moth for all his care for the Diocese over these years.

"I'm sad to be leaving the Venerable English College, and the Diocese of Westminster. But I am overjoyed at the thought of coming to Arundel & Brighton, getting to know the people, and working together to build God's Kingdom. Coming from a landlocked diocese where the hills are no bigger than London buses, I look forward to some wild swimming and walks on the South Downs.

"I will need lots of prayers and support. I hope that even with all my weaknesses I can be a loving shepherd, a spiritual father, and a brother as well. I know that if we put the love of Jesus and Mary at the centre of everything we do, and always seek to love and serve one another, then we cannot go wrong. Jesus will guide us through his Holy Spirit, lead us to the Father, and help us to lead others along the same path."

Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, was Bishop of Arundel & Brighton from 2015 to 2026. Reflecting on Fr Stephen's appointment, he said: "I warmly welcome the appointment of Bishop-elect Stephen Wang as the Bishop of Arundel & Brighton and thank Pope Leo XIV for providing for the needs of the diocese. Bishop-elect Stephen has served the Church in many roles, most recently as the Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome. He will bring a wealth of experience to this role, and I am delighted for both Bishop-elect Stephen and for the people and clergy of Arundel & Brighton.

"I ask all in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton to pray for him as he prepares to serve as their bishop."

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark, Archbishop John Wilson, whose ecclesiastical province includes the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, welcomed the new appointment, saying: "I am delighted that the Holy Father has appointed Fr Stephen Wang as the sixth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton. I welcome him most warmly to the Province.

"Fr Stephen has a real heart for the Lord and a love for God's people. His passion for formation and mission comes through clearly in his ministry. His work founding the 'Sycamore' initiative to share the Christian faith and its relevance today is testament to his commitment to evangelisation.

"Fr Stephen's many gifts will serve him well as a pastor for the people and clergy of the diocese. I pray that the Lord blesses him abundantly in the years ahead."

Canon Jonathan Martin was appointed as Diocesan Administrator of Arundel & Brighton in February this year, highlighting the great gift of a new shepherd for the people of the diocese he said: "I am delighted that the Holy Father has appointed Fr Stephen Wang as our new bishop, and I am certain that this news will bring great joy to all the Faithful of the Diocese. Bishop-elect Stephen will be known to many of us; we assure him of an affectionate welcome and of our prayers as he prepares himself for his episcopal ordination, and this new ministry to which the Lord has called him.'

The Mass of Episcopal Ordination and Installation will take place at the Cathedral Church of Our Lady and St Philip Howard, Arundel, in the Autumn.

Fr Stephen Wang was born in London in 1966 and grew up in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. He read Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge University from 1986 to 1989, before undertaking priestly formation at the Venerable English College in Rome from 1992 to 1997.

Ordained on 3 January 1998, he worked in parish ministry in Dollis Hill, London, from 1997 to 2001.

From 2001 to 2005 he studied for a PhD on the subject of human happiness at Cambridge University, assisting at Fisher House Chaplaincy, based at the University, for two years.

He lectured in Philosophy and Theology at Allen Hall seminary in Chelsea from 2005 to 2013 and was Dean of Studies from 2009 to 2013. During this time, he was also a visiting priest at Wormwood Scrubs Prison, White City, and a confessor at Notting Hill Carmel, a cloistered convent of Carmelite nuns located in St Charles Square.

From 2013 to 2021, Fr Stephen served as Senior University Chaplain in the Diocese of Westminster and was Catholic Chaplain at The London School of Economics.

In 2014, a group of young people led by Fr Stephen developed 'Sycamore', a video-based Catholic faith formation programme that explores the Christian faith through short films and guided discussion. Designed to make Christianity more accessible, Sycamore is now used by Catholic parishes, schools, and university chaplaincies across the world.

Following three years as Vocations Director for Westminster Diocese, Fr Stephen was appointed Rector of the Venerable English College in 2021, where he served for five years.

Pope Leo XIV appointed Fr Wang as the sixth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton on 2 July 2026.