Archbishop Peter Smith was installed as Archbishop of Southwark at St George's Cathedral on Thursday, 10th June 2010.

He is the tenth bishop of Southwark and succeeds Archbishop Kevin McDonald, who resigned due to ill-health in December last year.

Archbishop Peter was born in Southwark and was ordained in Southwark. He was welcomed home at his Mass of Installation.

Along with Archbishops Emeriti Kevin and Michael, Bishops John, Patrick and Paul and Bishop Emeritus Howard, this joyful ceremony was attended by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishops of Westminster, Birmingham and Liverpool and most of the Bishops of England and Wales and Bishops from further afield, ecumenical and civic dignitaries, the priests and deacons of our diocese, with many from Archbishop Peter's previous diocese of Cardiff, and religious and laity from around Southwark.

During his homily, Archbishop Peter suggested that our prayer each day should be:
'Open my ears that I may hear.
Open my eyes that I may see.
Open my heart to receive your transforming and purifying Spirit.'

We welcome our new Archbishop with joyful gratitude to God and, conscious of the responsibilities of his office, we keep him in our prayers.

 

Archbishop Peter Smith was installed as Archbishop of Southwark at St George's Cathedral on Thursday, 10th June 2010.

He is the tenth bishop of Southwark and succeeds Archbishop Kevin McDonald, who resigned due to ill-health in December last year.

 

       

Archbishop Peter with Archbishops Emeriti Michael and Kevin
after the Installation Mass

 

 

Archbishop Peter's homily at his Mass of Installation

The Apostolic Letter of Authority from the Holy See

Full report of the Installation Mass with photos

More phtots of the Installation Mass

Photos taken at the reception

Press release from the Catholic Bishops' Conference web site

More photos on the Catholic Church's Flickr site

 

 

 

Born on 21st October 1943 in Battersea, London, Archbishop Peter Smith was educated at Clapham College; Exeter University, LLB; St. John's Seminary, Wonersh; Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, JCD 1977. He was ordained on 5th July 1972. He served as assistant priest at St. Francis, Stockwell from 1972-74. He was Professor of Canon Law St. John's Seminary Wonersh 1977-84. From 1984-1985, he was Parish Priest at St. Andrew's, Thornton Heath and then from 1985-1995 he was Rector at St. John's Seminary, Wonersh.

He was appointed Bishop of East Anglia from 1995 until 2001, when he became Archbishop of Cardiff. Archbishop Peter has been Chairman of the Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales since 1998. He has also been the Chairman of the Catholic Truth Society since 1993. He was Chairman of the Central Religious Advisory Committee (CRAC) of the BBC and ITC from 2001-2004. He was appointed a Sub-Prelate and Chaplain of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 2002. He became an Honorary Fellow University of Wales, Lampeter in 2004.

On 30 April 2010, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI announced that Archbishop Smith would be installed the tenth Archbishop of Southwark. He will be installed at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark on 10 June 2010.

 downloadable article about Archbishop Peter Smith

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MINUTES OF THE  PPC HELD ON WEDNESDAY 20^th JANUARY 2010

 

 

 

A  DEACON’S  VOCATION

 

Deacon's undergo three years of training  -  but like many vocations, they continue growing and strengthening their role after ordination.

 

 Stephen’s role in our Parish is to assist the priest in three main ways:

 

At the altar; The Deacon assists at the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Stephen will stand beside the priest, but a little to the rear, and when required, help with the chalice and Missal.  He will help with the distribution of the Eucharist.

Stephen can administer the solemn blessings of Baptism, marriages and the rites of funeral and burial.

 

More information about the The Permanent Diaconate in Southwark

 

CATHOLIC  CHILDREN’S  SOCIETY

As you will be aware, the Government’s new Equality legislation has  presented  significant  challenges  for  Catholic Adoption Agencies.  In  consultation  with  the Bishops of Arundel and Brighton, Southwark and Portsmouth, our own diocesan agency has taken  the  decision  to  comply  with the legislation in order to safeguard its wide range of services to children, young people and families.  In order to do this the Catholic Children’s Society will be working under the new name of Cabrini Children’s Society from 1st January 2009.

Archbishop Kevin’s recent ad clerum detailed the agreement reached to enable the Society to continue fundraising in parishes and schools. From 1st January, any monies collected will be placed in a ‘communities  fund’  which   will   go  towards supporting non-adoption related services.  The Diocesan Financial Secretary for  Southwark and Arundel and Brighton, or his delegate, will continue  to be  on  the  Finance  Committee of Carbini.  Some of the Society’s non-adoption work includes: Providing flexible, affordable and accessible support and services to a diverse range of communities through our long standing neighbourhood projects.

supporting Catholic schools by providing counselling for students as well as training for teachers

providing a home-for-life and day centre for adults with learning disabilities

offering personalised catechetical programs to children and young adults with learning and physical difficulties

supporting people who were in our care homes to access their records and, if required, facilitate reunions with their birth families.

 

AYLESFORD YOUTH FESTIVAL
On Saturday 5th July, 12 children and three adults took a trip to the Aylesford Youth Festival. Once we got there, we went to the main tent, where we listened to a range of songs by the band CJM. We were given a sheet where we put down our four main preferences of activities we would like to do that afternoon. We were able to choose from a variety of things such as drama, sports, song writing and teambuilding.
Later on that morning, we listened to an interesting talk about making the right decisions and not giving in to peer pressure, at the end, the man even performed a mime, which was incredible.
Then it was lunch. Most of us raced each other on the inflatable assault course they provided, and a lot of us bought chocolate or a burger from the tuck shop.
After lunch we started our workshops, where we got to try something new and meet new people. Then it was off to our second workshop, where many of us learnt new skills and we all had fun.
To end the day, everyone attended a Mass, where something was performed from each workshop. Even someone from our church, Rory Bollard, performed a song on the bass guitar.
I really enjoyed the day and thankfully God provided us with good weather. If I had the opportunity, I would certainly go again.
by Lauren Mills.
 

 

URGENT: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill
The Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill is going through Parliament at the moment.

It is a proposed new law about infertility treatment and experimentation on human embryos. It raises grave concerns.

If you feel strongly about this subject and want to learn more the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales have produced a letter giving more information. Parish resource pack  , What can I do?

 

E-Petition @ Number 10  

 

Please write to:

Derek Wyatt MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Tel: 0207 219 5807
Email: wyattd@parliament.uk