Cardinal Vincent has welcomed Pope Francis’ appointment of Canon David Oakley as the thirteenth Bishop of Northampton.
Canon David Oakley is a priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and has served as Rector at St Mary’s College, Oscott since 2013. He succeeds Bishop Peter Doyle.
Responding to the appointment, Cardinal Vincent said:
'I assure Bishop-elect David Oakley of my most sincere prayers and total support as he prepares to take up his appointment as Bishop of Northampton, in succession to Bishop Peter Doyle. Bishop Peter will be much missed; Bishop David will be warmly welcomed.'
Cardinal Vincent will celebrate the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect David Oakley in Northampton Cathedral at 11am on the Solemnity of St Joseph, 19th March 2020.
Speaking at a welcome ceremony in Northampton Cathedral, Bishop-elect David Oakley said:
‘I’m asking Our Lady and St Joseph to give me the courage and inspiration I need [as a new bishop]. I look forward to working closely with the priests of the diocese, some of whom were my school friends!
‘On this particular day lots of names and faces come to mind, my family, friends, parishioners and bishops. They have given me courage … It’s not easy to be a person of faith today but we need to concentrate on God’s grace and I’m going to rely on this now.’
