Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth

For the Church of England suffragan bishop, see Anglican Bishop of Plymouth.

Bishop of Plymouth
Bishopric
catholic
Incumbent:
Sede Vacante
Location
Ecclesiastical provinceSouthwark
Information
Established1850
DiocesePlymouth
CathedralPlymouth Cathedral

The Bishop of Plymouth is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth in the Province of Southwark, England.[1][2]

The diocese covers an area of 12,831 km2 (4,954 sq mi) and consists of the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. The see is in the City of Plymouth where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Boniface.[1][2]

The diocese of Plymouth was one of the dioceses erected on 29 September 1850 from the Vicariate Apostolic of the Western District.[1][2] The Right Reverend Mark O'Toole, the 9th Bishop of Plymouth, was appointed on 9 November 2013 by Pope Francis.[3] In June 2022 he was translated to both the Archbishopric of Cardiff and the Bishopric of Menevia; since then the see has been vacant.

In December 2023, Pope Francis appointed Canon Christopher Whitehead of the Diocese of Clifton to become the 10th Bishop of Plymouth. Bishop-Elect Christopher was to be installed on 22 February 2024.[4] On 1 February, the Bishops of England and Wales announced that his ordination was cancelled, pending a canonical process investigating Canon Whitehead, who stepped down from active ministry during the investgation.[5] Whitehead was subsequently cleared of all charges, and returned to ministry in Clifton.[6] In September 2024, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Philip Moger of the Diocese of Leeds to become the 10th Bishop of Plymouth. Bishop-Elect Philip is to be installed on 9 November 2024.[7] On November 6, however, Moger issued an apology stating he intended to postpone his installation until termination of the investigation of personal issued raised.[8]

  1. ^ a b c "Diocese of Plymouth". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Diocese of Plymouth at GCatholic.org.com. Retrieved on 14 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Pope Francis appoints new English bishop". Catholic Herald. UK. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  4. ^ "New bishop appointed to 'beautiful Plymouth'". BBC News. 15 December 2023.
  5. ^ Colsy, Thomas (1 February 2024). "Mystery as ordination of new Plymouth bishop is cancelled without explanation". Catholic Herald.
  6. ^ Pepinster, Catherine. "Declan Lang resignation not connected with Plymouth bishop controversy, says diocese". The Tablet.
  7. ^ "Pope Francis appoints Bishop Philip Moger as the new Bishop of Plymouth". Catholic Bishops' Conference. 13 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Installation Statement from the Bishop-elect of Plymouth". Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.