Bishop Mark Davies besieged by well-wishers following his Episcopal Ordination

ENGLAND, Press Release of the Diocese of Salford/Fr. Bryan Cunningham. Bishop Mark Davieswas ordained as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Shrewsbury at a Mass held in St Anthony’s Church, Wythenshawe, Manchester on Monday 22nd February 2010, the feast of the Chair of St Peter. Bishop Davies was formerly Vicar General of the Diocese of Salford and is a member of the Schoenstatt Priests branch in England. On the night before Bishop Davies held Vigil in the Shrine at the Schoenstatt Shrine and Pastoral Centre at St John Fisher’s Kearsley and was to return to the Shrine the day after his Episcopal Ordination and offer a Mass of thanksgiving.

Bishop Davies will assist Bishop Brian Noble until his retirement. Large numbers of clergy and people attended from across Salford diocese, joining their Shrewsbury neighbours in the impressive ceremony.

Assisting the Bishop of Shrewsbury during the Ordination ceremony were Bishop Brain, Bishop of Salford and the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Revd Patrick Kelly. Bishop Davies served both during his time in Salford, as Vicar General and Secretary respectively.

Nothing without Christ

In his homily, the Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Revd Bernard Longley, Metropolitan, spoke of the role of the Bishop and the mystery of Christ’s identity. “Who do you say I am? It is a question asking whoever answers to search deeply within, and to continue searching until he find Peter’s affirmation: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The new bishop’s motto is: Nihil sine Cristo – Nothing without Christ.

Guests at the ceremony included the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, some 30 Roman Catholic Archbishops and Bishops, several ecumenical guests including the Anglican Bishops of Stockport and Birkenhead, together with the local Member of Parliament, Paul Goggins, other civic dignitaries and parishioners from the parishes of the Shrewsbury Diocese, and from the Salford Parishes where Bishop Davies has previously ministered.

The parish priest of St Anthony’s, Fr Michael Murray added, “It was an honour and wonderful occasion for St Anthony’s and for Wythenshawe to host the Ordination. It made a great impression on us all, especially the young people present. Thanks to all those people who worked hard to make such a memorable day”

Bishop Davies takes up his new duties with immediate effect. He will be sorely missed by clergy and people of Salford diocese, and they offer him grateful thanks for everything he has done for us.

The Schoenstatt Family of England and all over the world proudly promises prayers and capital of grace for another diocesan priest in the Covenant of Love serving the church as bishop.

Photo album