40 Bishop

Bishop Michael Campbell
carrying his crozier

A Bishop is responsible for looking after the Church in an area called a diocese. He is a pastoral leader and he serves the people in his diocese. He carries out visitations of the parishes in his diocese so that he can get to know the needs of the people and offer guidance and support to the priests. To read more about the Bishop's parish visitations read his blog. He celebrates Mass with the parishes he visits and he guides the people in following the way of Jesus. The Bishop also celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation and he ordains men to the priesthood. A Bishop wears a special tall hat called a mitre and he carries a staff, also known as a crozier. His crozier is a reminder that the Bishop is carrying out the role of a shepherd in guiding and protecting his people and he is continuing the work of Jesus who called himself 'the good shepherd'.

Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue
handing over the crozier

When Bishop Michael sat on the Cathedra (Bishop's chair) and assumed responsibility as Bishop of Lancaster, his predecessor Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue said:
"Bishop Michael, at the wish of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI you now assume from me the pastoral charge of the Diocese of Lancaster.  With confidence and trust I hand this crozier as a sign of the shepherd's office.  May the Lord sustain you in this office which is entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit for the service of the church of God.  Dear people of God, I present to you your Bishop". 

Details of the Bishop's ordination rite were reported in detail at the time, to learn more about the different parts of the service see the original Lancaster Cathedral Blog