Bishop Parker stands down

BISHOP Thomas Leo Parker, 79, of Northampton has resigned. Acceptance of his resignation by the Pope took effect on Tuesday.
Bishop of Northampton for 26 years, he is the first English bishop to stand down in accordance with the Pope's suggestion in August that priests and bishops over 75 should make way for younger men.
During his time as bishop, more than 100 new churches were built in Northampton. Nearly 40 new schools were built and the Catholic population increased to more than 170,000.
From a family of 13 children, he was born in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. He became a priest in 1915 and a bishop in 1941.
The Diocesan Chapter is meeting today (Friday) to elect a Vicar Capitular to administer the diocese while the see is vacant. On Tuesday when Cardinal Heenan visits Northampton it is expected that three names will be submitted to the Holy See as a possible successor to Bishop Parker. The present auxiliary is Bishop Grant.