As Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, and as Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral respectively, Bishop Marcus and Canon Paul Farrer have every reason to be proud ‘Fathers-in-God’, as has Middlesbrough diocesan priest, Fr Richard Marsden – although none of the three are committing the ‘deadly sin’ of Pride!
Fr Richard has been chosen to serve for several years in Rome as Vice-Rector and Formation Tutor at the Venerable English College. The former journalist who was ordained in 2018 has been Parish Priest at Holy Cross in Cottingham, close to his home town of Hull, since 2022. He will take up his new role at the seminary in September.
Upon learning of his appointment, Fr Richard said: ‘I was surprised and humbled to be asked to be the new Vice Rector of the Venerable English College. I thank the Rector Fr Stephen Wang, and Bishop Marcus for their trust and encouragement. I am very much looking forward to joining the Formation Team in September. It will be a great privilege, within the context of the Eternal City, to help prepare the next generation of priests to be zealous missionaries and faithful shepherds. I shall be relying on the example and intercession of our inspiring College martyrs to strengthen me for the work ahead.’
Fr Richard will be missed by his parishioners, as well as by clergy and laity in both dioceses as the Middlesbrough-based organiser of our new men’s group, The Oratory of St Joseph; and as the Patron Saint of Fathers and foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, St Joseph can certainly be described as a ‘Proud Father’ too!
The Dean, the Bishop, and the Vice-Rector!
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