Installation of new bishop in England deferred for a second time

Plymouth, England, Nov 12, 2024 / 12:25 pm (CNA).

For the second time in less than a year, the installation of a bishop has been deferred in the Diocese of Plymouth, England.

Bishop-elect Philip Moger from the Archdiocese of Southwark, England, was due to be installed Nov. 9 but suddenly announced a “delay” to his installation just days before it was due to take place.

“In the very last few days, concerns have been raised of a personal nature to which I must attend immediately. This will take a little time,” he wrote.

“I have therefore agreed with all directly concerned to delay my installation as the new bishop of Plymouth until these processes have been completed.

“I sincerely regret this delay and offer my apologies to all who are disappointed and inconvenienced. However, it is important that everything is properly in place and due process observed.”

A parishioner from the Diocese of Plymouth who did not want to be identified by name told CNA that she knew nothing about the reasons for the delay.

“None of us know the answer to what the delay is and why they had to pull out last Saturday, but we very much hold Plymouth in our prayers,” she said.

The parishioner expressed hope that the installation will still take place, pointing out that “the positive side we have to look at is that this is a postponement” rather than a cancellation, which happened earlier this year.

Canon Christopher Whitehead was due to be installed as the Bishop of Plymouth on Feb. 22, but a statement from the Diocese of Plymouth suddenly announced on Feb. 1 that is was canceled, explaining that “a canonical process” had been started and that Whitehead had stepped back from active ministry. 

When this canonical process concluded in March, the bishops’ conference offered no explanation as to the reason for the cancellation of his episcopal ordination. It was then announced that Whitehead would return to parish ministry in his home Diocese of Clifton, leaving the Diocese of Plymouth without a bishop. 

The diocese then entered a period of uncertainty, with a spokesperson announcing that the diocese would “continue to wait for an official announcement from the Holy See as to who will be appointed as the next bishop of Plymouth.”

When it was announced that Pope Francis had appointed Philip Moger as Plymouth’s new bishop in September, there was great joy expressed in the diocese, which had been without a bishop since June 2022.

Welcoming the appointment, Plymouth’s diocesan administrator, Canon Paul Cummins, said: “The faith community of the southwest has been well-served by its predecessors, and we are confident that our bishop-elect will continue their legacy.” 

Cummins promised Moger “a warm welcome” and the prayers of the diocese. Moger said he was “very honored to be asked by Pope Francis to be the 10th bishop of this great Diocese of Plymouth,” which he called a “beautiful part of the Lord’s vineyard.”

Numerous school children and clergy had written special welcome prayers and created welcome cards in anticipation of Moger’s installation before the sudden and unexplained announcement. There is now, once again, a feeling of uncertainty in the diocese, although the welcome prayers and messages remain on the diocesan website.  

Parishioners said they hope the situation with Whitehead will not be repeated and that Moger’s ordination will take place at a later date. The parishioner who asked CNA for privacy said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming Bishop Philip,” adding that they are “very much praying” for him.