The Episcopal Ordination of the Right Reverend Séamus Cunningham as Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle took place at 12 noon in St Mary's Cathedral on Friday 20th March 2009, the Feast of St Cuthbert, our diocesan patron.

Bishop Cunningham was ordained by Liverpool's Archbishop, the Most Rev Patrick Kelly, who was assisted by the Rt Rev Ambrose Griffiths, the 11th Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle until his retirement in 2004, and Bishop Michael Campbell from Lancaster.

Present on the sanctuary of the Cathedral was Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, of Edinburgh and St Andrews, and the Pope's personal representative Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz. Over thirty bishops, three archbishops and two cardinals took part in the ordination, along with over 150 clergy from the diocese and beyond, and many ecumenical and civic leaders.

Many hundreds of people filled the Cathedral to overflowing for this important and joyous diocesan occasion.

During the central part of the service Archbishop Kelly of Liverpool and all the bishops present laid hands on the bishop elect's head to ordain him bishop and he was anointed with chrism, presented with a ring, mitre and crosier and installed in the cathedra.

More photographs
Press Release
Listen to interview ahead of his Ordination and Installation [MP3]
Transcript of Homily by Archbishop Patrick Kelly
Homily by Archbishop Patrick Kelly [MP3]
Reading of Mandate from the Holy See [MP3]
Address by Archbishop Muñoz, the Apostolic Nuncio [MP3]
Address by Bishop Tom Wright, Anglican Bishop of Durham [MP3]
Address and Thanksgiving by Bishop Séamus at Vespers [MP3]