The Rt Rev George Stack, an auxiliary bishop of Westminster, has been appointed the new Archbishop of Cardiff. This is good news for those who had raised concerns about the possibility that the current Bishop of Menevia, the Rt Rev Tom Burms sm, might have become the next Archbishop of Cardiff. Some reliable sources revealed earlier this year that Tom Burns was the chosen candidate for Cardiff, but nothing came of it. Maybe the Congregation for Bishops listened to the concerns regarding Tom Burns' suitability? Having said that, many would agree that Bishop Stack has been in line for promotion for some time, now.
I have a lot of time for Archbishop-elect Stack and have seen him hard at work in the Diocese of Westminster. He is still energetic and has a lot to offer the Church. It's about time he was given his own diocese, and his episcopal experience means that he is rightly qualified to lead a metropolitan archdiocese. Of course, George Stack does not speak Welsh, which might be problematic for him and the Church in Wales. Having said that, as long as the next Bishop of Wrexham is a Welsh-speaker, and George Stack is willing to learn the basics of the language, it shouldn't prove to be too much of a difficulty.
The BBC reports that Bishop Stack is "humbled and honoured at the trust Pope Benedict XVI" placed in him by appointing him as the seventh Archbishop of Cardiff. George Stack went on to say:
"Although I am sad to be leaving the archdiocese of Westminster, in which I have served as priest for 29 years and auxiliary bishop for 10 years, I look forward to serving the people and clergy of the church in Cardiff with love and faithfulness in the years that lie ahead."According to the BBC, the Archbishop-elect also said he was aware of the "long and noble" history of Christianity in Wales and "the special gifts" the Celtic people bring to the universal Church. Having recently written to the Papal Nuncio about these matters, I am glad that the next Archbishop of Cardiff is aware of this real and important issue for the Catholic Church in Wales.
A few months ago, I wrote to the Congregation of Bishops to nominate Bishop Stack as a possible candidate for the Archdiocese of Cardiff, so am especially glad to see that Pope Benedict XVI chose him for this role.
Llongyfarchiadau Esgob Stack!
Links:
For Bishop Stack's biography, please see the Catholic Bishops' Conference's website
[Image: Bishop George Stack; source: Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales]
14 comments:
What wonderful news. A popular choice, so it seems. God bless Archbishop Stack!
Bishop Stack is no more or less liberal than Bishop Burns. Neither can be described as liberal or conservative. Both are PASTORAL bishops. Your 'leak' that Bishop Burns was going to Cardiff was not true so do not kid yourself that you had a decision reversed. When you published your rumour, there was no Nuncio in post and therefore no possibility of an announcement. You will now have a wonderful archbishop. I hope you will continue to treat him with respect.
@ Anonymous
It was not "my" rumour or "leak", and Damian Thompson had published the story well before I had (although someone else had told me the same thing), so it seemed that the story was reliable at the time.
I am not as ego-centric to think that any reversal (if there was one) would be anything to do with this blog.
I think the Nuncio had already been appointed, even if he hadn't presented his letter of credence.
Because I don't live (and never have done) in the Cardiff Diocese, I will not have a new archbishop.
Congratulations on being chosen one of the meetings of the bloggers! Peace and good!
If I'd known you were so influential I'd have been more emollient in the commbox. Be an angel and have my nieces made cardinals while you're in Rome anyway - I don't know what to get them for Easter. Throw in a papal knighthood for me and I'll even pray for your guild ;-)
What an awful website goodbye
Oh boy! The jealousy is palpable! Take no notice.
I would like to know the number of WOMEN BLOGGERS that were invited that were able to make it.
Female blogging experience is different, less driven, probably less confrontational.
@ Mike and Molly
Thank you for your comment...
One of the women bloggers who I have already arranged to meet out there is called Jane and she runs an excellent blog called Thoughts from a Catholic Oasis http://thoughtsfromoasisinfrenchcatholicism.blogspot.com/
It's well worth a look
Congratulations Archbishop George Stack. You come highly recommended. May God continue to guide you in the years ahead. With our very best wishes and sincere prayers.
Congratulations to the New Archbishop, his appointment is LONG overdue. This raises a serious question though for the Church - Peter Smith left Cardiff nearly 12 months ago and considering the position and (seemingly) importance of Cardiff to the Catholic Church and the fact that there was no Catholic leader in what is a highly devolved country - what does this say about the suitability of candidates within the church or indeed Archbishop Vincent Nichol's understanding of the Church outside England? As a Welsh Catholic I know that many parishes have suffered over the past year due to no Archbishop being in place to make important decisions. I only hope that this long period of uncertainty has now come to an end!
Mike and Molly - plenty of women bloggers have been invited... The Crescat, the Ironic Catholic, Hilary White, Jane from the Oasis, Anna Arco and Mary O'Regan are just a few I can rattle off the top of my head without checking the list...
Whilst I offer a cautious welcome to this news, I am equally cautious about some of the comments made by Bishop Stack about Our Lady .
http://www.lovingit.co.uk/2011/02/bishop-george-stack-calls-the-intercession-of-our-lady-a-distortion.html
I would be horrified if a Bishop were to state that Our Lady does not interced for us, and that to think so is a distortion of our Catholic Faith.
Let us just hope that this is not what was intended.
You can hear Archbishop Stack's remarks about the Virgin Mary for yourself HERE.
@ gonzaga
I have listened to the piece you link to, and could find nothing wrong with what +Stack had to say about Our Lady.
In fact, all he seemed to be doing was highlighting, in an ecumenical context, the problems that some, both inside and outside the Catholic Church, have with Mariology when it ceases to be an act of Christo-centric veneration of Mary and becomes adoration (or idolatry).
Of course, Our Lady's intercession as Mother of God and Queen of Angels and Saints is highly effective, but she is not the unique mediator between Man and God which only the God Man, Jesus Christ, could be.
The debate is on-going as to what exactly Mary's role was / is in the context of redemption. Yes, she is a co-Redeemer of the highest rank - for her "fiat" was probably essential. But she is not a Divine mediator or intercessor, like her Son. Many, inside and outside the Catholic Church, feel that an over-emphasising of Mary's role as intercessor seems to take away from the Unique role Our Lord has as Mediator and Redeemer. To claim that both Son and Mother are co-equal is a heresy - for although one is "The Bearer / Mother of God" only the Son is God.
Anyway, I can assure you that Archbishop-elect Stack believes in the effectiveness of intercessory prayer to Our Lady. In fact, I am led to believe that Our Lady will have a special role to play at his own Instillation.
Just as Pope Benedict XVI has been misunderstood when wearing his academic cap, it can also be easy to misinterpret the meaning attached to words delivered not in a sermon but in a lecture, talk or ecumenical gathering. One of the necessary arts needed for the Episcopacy is something called diplomacy.
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