Bishop Stephen Wright has been installed as the 15th Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle at a Solemn Mass of Installation in St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle.
The Mass was celebrated in honour of Our Blessed Mary Immaculate, a patron of the diocese who looks down from one of the cathedral’s stained-glass windows.
Bishop Stephen was welcomed by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, the apostolic administrator of the diocese.
The apostolic nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía was in attendance, as was Cardinal Vincent Nichols and many Catholic bishops, as well as senior clerics including Monsignor Gerard Robinson, vicar general of the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
Bishop Stephen was presented with the traditional symbols of a bishop’s ministry: the pastoral staff, the crozier, the ring – in this case St Cuthbert’s ring – and the pectoral cross.
In a poignant exchange, Bishop Stephen received another gift – the powerful symbol of prayer ribbons representing the God-given dignity of victims and survivors of abuse. These ribbons were then tied to the bishop’s chair and the congregation heard a short testimony from Maggie, a survivor of abuse.
Bishop Stephen was also greeted by the chapter of canons, representatives of the council of priests and pastoral councils, and some of the priests, deacons and lay people of the diocese, as well as ecumenical and interreligious guests and other dignitaries.
Until his installation, Bishop Stephen had served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

A Prayer for Bishop Stephen

Lord, rock of our hearts,
from a sea swept island
you sent Aidan and Cuthbert
to sow your Word fruitfully
throughout our northern land and
you inspired Bede to understand and speak your truth
reflected in our lives and in our history.
Grant your servant, Stephen,
whom you have called to follow them,
a rich share in this heritage –
to speak your Word courageously
to teach wisely
and to lead with love.

Amen.

Monsignor Kevin Nichols 1929-2006