Westminster Diocese Clergy Moves 2026

Our Lady of Westminster. ICN/JS

Mgr Martin Hayes, Vicar General of the Diocese of Westminster has issued the following information, about forthcoming retirements, priests' appointments, deacons' placements and other information.

RETIREMENTS OF PARISH PRIESTS, SUMMER 2026

Mgr Vincent Brady, from Pinner
Mgr Phelim Rowland, from Hampstead
Fr Jonathan Goodall, from Stanmore
Fr Peter Harris, from Bishop's Stortford
Fr Ulick Loring, from Twickenham

PARISH PRIESTS

Mgr Martin Hayes, from Vicar General to St Mary, Hampstead
Canon Peter Newby to St James, Twickenham paired with St Margaret of Scotland, St Margarets-on-Thames
Canon Paschal Ryan, from Chelsea 2 to St Mary Moorfields, and St Joseph's, Bunhill Row
Fr Julio Albornoz, from Assistant Priest, Hanwell to St William of York, Stanmore
Fr Alexander Master, from Private Secretary to Our Most Holy Redeemer and St Thomas More, Chelsea 2
Fr Axcel Soriano, from Assistant Priest at Enfield to St Joseph and the English Martyrs, Bishop's Stortford
Fr Tony Thomas, from Neasden and Stonebridge to St Luke, Pinner
Fr Stephen Willis to Neasden and Stonebridge paired with Our Lady of Willesden, Willesden

ASSISTANT PRIESTS

Fr Mark Odion MSP, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George, Enfield from 22 June 2026
Fr Bogdan Velyanyk, on loan from the Archdiocese of Toulouse, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George, Enfield

DEACON IN FORMATION FOR PRIESTHOOD

Rev Paolo Gambardella, ordained on 13 June 2026, to Our Lady of Grace and St Edward, Chiswick and St Joseph's, Grove Park

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Fr Michael Mannion, Parish Priest at Redbourn and Wheathampstead now resides at Wheathampstead

NEW BISHOP APPOINTED

Fr Stephen Wang, currently Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, has been appointed as Bishop of Arundel & Brighton in succession to now-Archbishop Richard Moth. His episcopal ordination will take place in the autumn.

Archbishop Richard Moth has made the following further appointments, effective from the beginning of September 2026:

VICAR GENERAL

Canon Michael Dunne, in succession to Mgr Martin Hayes

PARISH PRIESTS

Mgr Roger Reader, Our Lady of Grace and St Edward, Chiswick and St Joseph's, Grove Park in succession to Canon Michael Dunne

Fr Benedict Baka CSSp, Our Lady and St Michael, Garston in succession to Fr Paul Antwi-Boasiako CSSp

Fr Matthew Blake OCD, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Simon Stock, Kensington 2 from 24 June 2026 in succession to Fr Thaddeus Ekuma OCD

Fr Joseph Kaduthanam CMI, English Martyrs, Wembley 2 in addition to his responsibilities as Parish Priest at St Joseph, Wembley 1 in succession to Fr Albert Ofere

Fr Albert Ofere (on loan from the Diocese of Warri), St Mary Magdalen, Willesden Green and the Church of the Transfiguration, Kensal Rise in succession to Mgr Roger Reader