Father Stephen Wang has been appointed as the new rector of the Venerable English College (VEC) in Rome.
Father Stephen will replace Monsignor Philip Whitmore, who has been rector since 2013. The VEC was founded in 1579 and since then has prepared priests to serve mainly in England and Wales, as well as being a home to priests undertaking further studies in Rome.
There are currently 27 seminarians in formation for the priesthood and five priests engaged in further studies. Most study at either the Gregorian University or the Angelicum. As well as seminarians from England and Wales, there are seven from the Nordic countries, two from Ireland and one from Canada.
Father Stephen, a priest of the Westminster Diocese who studied at the VEC as part of his formation, will start his new ministry as rector at the start of the new academic year in September.
He said: “I’ve been incredibly happy as a university chaplain in London and it will be very hard to leave Newman House chaplaincy centre and say goodbye to students and staff across the universities, but I’m delighted to be starting at the Venerable English College in Rome.
“I have a great love for the seminary and for the city, and a love for the priesthood and the work of formation. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the seminarians and staff, and to building on the wonderful work that Monsignor Whitmore has been doing as rector.”
Monsignor Philip said: “I am delighted by the news and I thank the Lord for the eight truly blessed years I have been privileged to spend in this role. The recent health crisis has made us more aware than ever of our need for priests and it is both a responsibility and a joy to be charged with the formation of priests to serve the next generation. We assure Father Stephen of our prayers as he prepares for his new ministry.”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: “I welcome most warmly the appointment of Father Stephen Wang as the new rector of the Venerable English College, Rome.
“Father Stephen will bring to the college all his experience as a university chaplain as well as his passion for proclaiming the Gospel in contemporary ways, a gift so much in keeping with the great traditions of the college.
“I thank Monsignor Philip wholeheartedly for his years of tireless service to the college and I look forward to welcoming him back to his diocese in due course.”