The Most Rev Bernard Longley, formerly an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, has been Installed as the ninth Archbishop of Birmingham.
The Mass and Installation took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of Saint Chad on 8 December 2009 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and one of the patronal feasts of the Archdiocese (St Chad being the other).
The appointment was announced by the Holy Father on 1 October 2009. He succeeds the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols (2000-2009).
Archbishop Bernard Longley gave this homily at the Mass for his Installation as the ninth Archbishop of Birmingham at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad:
“‘Where are you?’ is still a question about identity and purpose that God asks of us today. It is asked of the people of Birmingham and of the other six cities within the Archdiocese. In forming local communities that have confidence in finding creative and fruitful answers to that question I am grateful that our Catholic Archdiocese works alongside Christians from all the other Churches in a spirit of ecumenical co-operation and commitment. It is good to know that we shall experience and express our communion together in prayer, witness and outreach, and I am grateful that so many of the other Church Leaders are here with us today.
“As Christians we also believe that we must ponder that fundamental question from God alongside our brothers and sisters in the other major religious communities, for it is together that we must engage with all our fellow citizens in searching for goodness and truth in our values and behaviour. I wish to build upon Archbishop Vincent’s commitment to inter-religious friendship and co-operation and to be part of our common witness in the service of others.”
Homily given by Archbishop Bernard Longley at his Installation as Archbishop of Birmingham (pdf)
