New Bishop of Leeds in commits himself to the region

After his selection for the post by Pope Francis, Monsignor Marcus Stock, who has been the general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference since 2009, was presented as the 10th Bishop of Leeds at a press conference at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, yesterday.

The 53-year-old replaces Archbishop Arthur Roche who left for Rome in 2012 to take up the position of secretary of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Sacraments in the Curia of the Holy See.

He will be consecrated as bishop at Leeds Cathedral on November 13 but will move into the Bishop’s House next month.

Bishop of Leeds Marcus Stock said: “I am overwhelmed at the trust which the Holy Father has placed in me. I have written to the Holy Father and assured him, as the Successor of St Peter and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, of my loyal and filial love, and of my intention to give myself entirely to the service of the Diocese of Leeds.”

The bishop, who is originally from Birmingham, has asked for patience as he spends time getting to know the clergy and residents of the diocese, while expressing thanks to those who have led the diocese before him.

Having been ordained as a priest in 1988, he served as a parish priest across his home city – most recently at the parish of the Sacred Heart and St Theresa.

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said: “The Diocese of Leeds is receiving a fine man as its new bishop.”