As part of the rite of ordination the candidate places his hands into the hands of the Bishop and promises him respect and obedience.
In appointing a priest to a parish the Bishop does so for the care of souls in a particular area of his diocese.
For the future spiritual well being of this parish of St Margaret Clitherow and so that I may exercise my promise of obedience, Bishop John has asked me to take up a new appointment in the near future.
On a date yet to be decided in September I will take up my new appointment as Parish Priest of St Anne and St Joseph’s Parish in Accrington, replacing Fr Simon Stamp.
I am able to inform you that your new Parish Priest will be Fr Simon Firth who is currently the Parish Priest at St Ann’s with St Christopher in Ashton-under-Lyne.
As we priests prepare to take up these new appointments please keep us all in your prayers as we ask the Lord to stay with us on our journey.
