On Saturday, 28th November it was confirmed by John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark, that Bishop Patrick Lynch’s request to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to retire on health grounds had been accepted.
In announcing this news, Archbishop John thanked the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary for the gift of Bishop Pat to the Archdiocese of Southwark, first as a priest and then as a Bishop and expressed his delight that Pat will be retiring in the Archdiocese where he has made his home and has so many friends.
Bishop Pat, of the Ireland-England Province, has served the Archdiocese with distinction and generosity for 22 years, the last 14 of which were as Auxiliary Bishop. His ministry has been marked, among other things, by his passion for the Gospel, deep sensitivity, a special care for migrants and ethnic chaplaincies and communities and great collaboration with the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Holy See in working to combat human slavery and trafficking.
As a Congregation we too give thanks for the great gift Pat has been and is to us, to the Church and to mission as we pray for him and wish him every blessing in this time of transition from being active to retiring.
11/29/2020