We have received the following communication from Chris Larsen which we produce in full below, regarding an important new publication:
I am pleased to announce that my book, Catholic Bishops of Great Britain: A Reference to Roman Catholic Bishops from 1850 to 2015, will be published this week by Sacristy Press of Durham. This essential reference catalogues the biographical history and significant events of all Roman Catholic diocesan bishops who have been in office since the Restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy in England and Wales in 1850, and in Scotland since the Restoration in 1878. The work has developed over a number of years into a comprehensive reference guide to over 300 men, ordained in the episcopal order, who have given their life in service to the Church.
Copies of the book can be ordered direct from Sacristy Press by clicking the link below.
The book includes:
– A foreword by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor
– Descriptions and a brief history of each diocese, including coats of arms
– Biographical details of all former and current bishops
– Translations of the Letters Apostolic
– Contact details of all serving bishops
– Chronological listing of significant episcopal events
– Indexes of titular sees and cardinal titles
Drawing on a wide variety of sources, this book will appeal to all those interested in the general history and origins of the post-Restoration Roman Catholic dioceses in Great Britain, and be of particular use to diocesan archivists and yearbook editors. It presents the information as completely, concisely and consistently as possible.
As this book records the episcopal milestones of the last two hundred years, it also stands as a respectful testament to those bishops who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, who continue to inspire and encourage their living successors in the Roman Catholic Church in Great Britain today.
“The names of our bishops are to be found in so many local places: in parish histories, on foundation stones, in portraits and in so many memories and retold stories. This book gathers much of that information together, bringing into one volume the briefest details of those many shepherds who have worked among the flock in these lands. Their names continue to live on, and we give thanks to God for the foundations they laid and the work they did: we continue to reap a rich harvest today from their sowing.”
– Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster
You may also find extra information on my Twitter account @bishbrit, which sends daily messages with “bishop trivia” of what happened on this day in the history of the Roman Catholic church in this country.
Many thanks for your interest and support.
Best wishes,
Chris Larsen