Today, Bishop Philip Egan, the Chapter of Canons and the Bishop’s Council today offered a Thanksgiving Mass at St John’s Cathedral Portsmouth, for Monsignor Paul Townsend and Canon Michael Dennehy in recognition of their years of service as Vicar Generals to the Lord’s Church and to the Diocese.
Monsignor Paul had been Vicar General, and Head of the Department for Clergy and Canon Michael was Vicar General and the Moderator for the Curia.
The occasion was a wonderful opportunity for all to express their heartfelt thanks to the Lord for their service and demanding work for the Diocese.
Both were eager to stress that they are not retiring, as Monsignor Paul will continue as a Parish Priest in Ringwood and Fordingbridge and Canon Michael is taking a well-deserved sabbatical for a year and will then return to the Diocese.
Two new Vicar Generals have been appointed, Canon David Hopgood and Father James McAuley. Father James will become Dean of the Cathedral and Moderator of the Curia.
Our prayers are with them as they start their new roles.
Photo shows from Left to right: Father James McAuley. Canon David Hopgood, Bishop Philip Egan, Monsignor Paul Townsend and Canon Michael Dennehy.
Recent Posts
Last year Pope Francis announced Friday that the Catholic Church will celebrate its first World Day of Children in May 2024. Speaking in his Angelus address on Dec. 8 to [...]
Congratulations to the Parish of Holy Family Southampton (Southampton Central Pastoral Area) which has been awarded a £20,000 grant by the Greendale Charitable Trust (https://www.greendalegroup.com/charitable-giving) that will ensure much-needed and [...]
The Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse is observed on Tuesday 30th April 2024. It is always marked on the Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter [...]
Critical Conversations into Critical Care Over 100 people from around the country packed into the auditorium of Winchester Arc Centre last Saturday for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth’s What does [...]
