Decree concerning the merger of the parishes of Bedwell, Old Town and Shephall.
Following consultation with the Council of Priests in accordance with Canon 515 $2, and conscious of the views expressed by the priests of the local Deanery and the lay faithful of the above named parishes, I, Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, have determined that the spiritual welfare and pastoral needs of the faithful of the parish of Bedwell, the faithful of the parish of Old Town, and the faithful of the parish of Shephall will be better served by merging these three parishes into one new parish.
Therefore, I hereby decree that the parish of Bedwell, the parish of Old Town and the parish of Shephall are united to form a new parish.
The ecclesiastical goods and patrimonial rights of the former parishes of Bedwell, Old Town and Shephall together with their respective obligations, in accordance with Canons 121-122, are ceded to the newly erected parish.
The name of the new parish shall be called 'Stevenage'. The territorial boundaries of the new parish shall be the combined boundaries of the former parishes Bedwell, Old Town and Shephall.
In accordance with Canon 524, I appoint Reverend Michael Doherty SDS as the parish priest of the new parish of Stevenage, and Reverend Robert Smialek as Assistant Priest in accordance with Canon 524.
This Decree shall be effective from 1 January 2026, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and shall be communicated to the parishioners of Bedwell, Old Town and Shephall. This decree shall be published on the diocesan website.
Given this 21st day of November 2025.
Cardinal Vincent Gerard Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
