THE END OF the memorable and prayerful Mass for the installation of Archbishop Bernard Longley as Archbishop of Birmingham was the moment when Archbishop Vincent Nichols presented his successor Archbishop Bernard Longley with the crozier of Bishop William Bernard Ullathorne, OSB, first Bishop of Birmingham, 1850-1888, writes Peter Jennings.
The Holy See announced on Thursday, October 1, the Feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux, that Pope Benedict XVI had appointed Bishop Bernard Longley, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, as the new Archbishop of Birmingham. As he handed him the crozier, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “Archbishop Bernard, at the wish of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, you have assumed the pastoral charge of the Church of Birmingham. I hand on to you this crozier, the sign of the shepherd’s office and ministry. May the Lord sustain you in your care for the people of the archdiocese.” Everyone in the packed St Chad’s Cathedral of more than 600 people stood and applauded the newly enthroned Archbishop.
The 54-year-old looked resplendent in the vestments of his predecessor, Archbishop Edward IIsley, the second Bishop and the first Archbishop of Birmingham (1888-1921). More than 325 priests from the archdioceses of Birmingham, Westminster, Southwark, and the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, concelebrated the Mass, together with most of the hierarchy of England and Wales.
The Abbot of Pluscarden and St Augustine’s Abbey, Ramsgate, were also present. Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow represented Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
The hierarchy in Ireland were represented by Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor, together with his auxiliary, Bishop Anthony Farquhar.
Also present was Bishop Charles Caruana, Bishop of Gibraltar. Among Arch bishop Bernard Longley’s personal guests were his father, Fred Longley, aged 81, and his sister, Kathleen Lloyd.
The civic leaders and ecumenical guests present included the Anglican Bishop of Birmingham, Bishop David Urquhart, and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Michael Wilkes and the Lady Mayoress.
Lord Camoys, Lord in Waiting to the Queen from 1992 to 97 and a Permanent Lord in Waiting since 2000, represented Catholic members of the House of Lords.
Archbishop Bernard’s hobbies include singing, especially English songs and German lieder.