Pope Francis has appointed Father Paul Mason as the new Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark. Fr Mason, a priest of the Archdiocese of Southwark, has been the Episcopal Vicar for Kent which comprises the Deaneries of Canterbury, Chatham, Dover, Gravesend, Maidstone, Thanet and Tunbridge Wells.
The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect Paul Mason will take place in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, on 31 May 2016 at Midday, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He will join Bishop Patrick Lynch and Bishop Paul Hendricks as Auxiliary Bishops of the Diocese of Southwark, succeeding Bishop John Hine.
Archbishop Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark said:
“I was delighted to hear the news that Pope Francis has appointed Father Paul Mason as an Auxiliary Bishop in Southwark. He has served this Diocese for many years, recently in working with me in the care of the people in Kent as my Episcopal Vicar to them, following Bishop John Hine’s move to Tenterden. I am very happy that the Holy Father has once again appointed a third auxiliary to Southwark, and I am sure that as Paul begins this new stage in his ordained ministry he will work with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of Kent with the same energy and enthusiasm he has demonstrated as a priest.”
Bishop–elect Paul Mason said:
“Although I have been working as Episcopal Vicar for Kent for just over two years, I still experienced something of a seismic shift when the Nuncio, Archbishop Mennini, handed me a letter saying that Pope Francis wished to appoint me as Auxiliary Bishop for Southwark.
“Southwark is a wonderful Diocese with great energy and diversity where the priests are not only very supportive but also a delight to work with.
“I look forward to continuing my ministry with Archbishop Peter and to do all I can to support and promote the Catholic Faith and help share the love and mercy of God, particularly to the people of Kent and the Medway.”
Born 6 November 1962 in North Shields, Tyne & Wear.
Attended St Anselm’s Roman Catholic High School, North Shields, and Kings College London.
Worked in Turin for Olivetti and London for Hewlett-Packard until September 1992.
Seminarian at the Venerable English College, Rome.
Ordained to the priesthood 25 July 1998.
Assistant priest at Saint John the Baptist, Purley (1998 – 2001).
Full-time Hospital Chaplain at St Thomas’ & Guys Hospital Trust (2001 – 2012).
Pastoral Director, Allen Hall Seminary, & Director of Southwark Ongoing Formation (2012 – 2013).
Named as Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark by Pope Francis on 23 April 2016 with the Titular See of Skàlholt.
