Patrick McKinney – New Bishop of Nottingham
Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Patrick McKinney, a priest from the Archdiocese of Birmingham, as the tenth Bishop of Nottingham.
Commenting on his appointment, Monsignor McKinney said:
“Throughout my priestly ministry, now almost 37 years, I have always tried to do my best in whatever has been asked of me. In this I have been deeply conscious of God’s abundant grace and mercy, and I have been greatly sustained by the prayerful support of my brother priests, the deacons and religious in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and by the prayers of the parishioners whom I have been privileged to serve. I will miss them all very much.
“Now, as I prepare prayerfully to give of my best in the service of the Diocese of Nottingham, I ask for the prayers of everyone there. I look forward to getting to know all the priests, the deacons, religious, and lay men and women of the Diocese, and also working alongside other Christians and those involved in interreligious work and dialogue in service of the wider community.
“I am deeply conscious of the rich legacy left by my predecessors as bishop, especially Bishop Malcolm McMahon, now Archbishop of Liverpool. I know a little of the diocesan You are Living Stones parish renewal programme which he had begun, encouraging everyone in the Diocese to work together in serving the missionary outreach of the Church, and I will do my best to build upon this.
“I also wish to thank Mgr Thomas McGovern, for the most able way in which he has acted as Diocesan Administrator this past year, and the College of Consultors who have worked closely with him. I have much to learn as I prepare to take up my new ministry within the Diocese of Nottingham, but am greatly looking forward to it.”