Dominican bishop of Nottingham transferred to Liverpool

Liverpool, England, Mar 21, 2014 / 09:52 am

Speaking Friday of his appointment as Archbishop of Liverpool, Bishop Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham has said he will strive to live up to the trust that is being put in him in his new role.

"I am honoured and humbled to have been appointed by our Holy Father Pope Francis as Archbishop of Liverpool," Bishop McMahon said in a news conference March 21. "I promise to do my best to repay the trust that he has placed in me, and which the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Liverpool are being asked to put in me from today."

"I am grateful to my family and friends, my Dominican brethren, and the priests and people of the Diocese of Nottingham for their support, guidance and friendship. I am naturally sorry to be leaving my home for the last thirteen years, and I will miss the priests and people there; I hope that the prayers of my Diocese will come with me as I prepare to bid them a fond farewell shortly after Easter."

Bishop McMahon was born in London in 1949. He studied mechanical engineering and worked in the transport industry before joining the Dominicans in 1976. He made religious profession the following year, and was ordained a priest of the order in 1982, serving as a university chaplain, pastor, prior provincial; and prior of Blackfriars in Oxford.

He was then appointed Bishop of Nottingham in 2000, where he has served until now. He has been outspoken in his support for Catholic education and for evangelization.

Msgr. Thomas McGovern, vicar general of the Nottingham diocese, said that "he has become a well-loved and well-respected shepherd, and we will miss him. The priests, deacons, religious and laypeople of our Diocese will look back on his ministry here with great affection, and Bishop Malcolm can be assured of our prayers for him as he prepares to take up his duties as Archbishop of Liverpool."

Bishop McMahon continued his comments, commending the Liverpool archdiocese for its history of "missionary discipleship," saying the "rich and living Catholic heritage of the Archdiocese should inspire us and challenge us, and I know that I can rely on the prayers and support of the Catholic faithful as I take up the challenge which lies ahead of me."

"I am also looking forward to working with my fellow Christians from other Churches and communities, people from all religious traditions, and civic and political leaders, building up the good relationships which already exist between us, in our endeavour to serve the common good."

He added, "I will do my level best to lead, guide and serve the people of this great Archdiocese, in Liverpool, west Lancashire and the Isle of Man, Catholic and non-Catholic alike."

"There is much work to be done, because the challenges which we face as a community are real."

Bishop McMahon will say Chrism Mass in Nottingham April 16, and also a Mass of Thanksgiving April 28, as opportunities for the diocese to bid him farewell.

His Mass of Installation as Archbishop of Liverpool will be said May 1 at the city's Cathedral of Christ the King.

Bishop Thomas Williams, the auxiliary bishop of Liverpool who has served as its apostolic administrator during its vacancy, welcomed their new archbishop: "I have to say on behalf of Archbishop Emeritus Patrick and the priests and people of the Archdiocese how pleased we are to welcome Archbishop-Elect Malcolm."

"We welcome Archbishop-Elect Malcolm with open arms and fully commit ourselves to him in a spirit of brotherly love and service. We know he is a Londoner and an Arsenal supporter, but nevertheless we welcome him unconditionally."