Today (Tuesday 19 May 2026) is the Feast of the Dedication of our Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist in Portsmouth. It is also the 144th anniversary of the formation of our Diocese of Portsmouth, for it was on this day in 1882 that Pope Leo XIII created the Diocese of Portsmouth. Bishop John Vertue (1826–1900) was the first bishop of the new Diocese, which was carved out of a portion of the Diocese of Southwark (link to our history page).

On this day, let us thank God for the gift of our Cathedral and our Diocese, our clergy and faithful and our tireless volunteers and donors.