Challenges facing the new bishop of Brentwood in Essex

(Vatican Radio) Newly appointed bishops from dioceses around the globe are concluding a week-long stay in Rome for two training courses organised by the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. The courses, which include presentations by top Vatican officials, are taking place at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University and will conclude with an audience with Pope Francis on Thursday. 

Among those taking part in this annual initiative are four new bishops from England and Wales, including Bishop Alan Williams of Brentwood in the south-eastern areas of London and Essex. A former Superior of the Marist Fathers in England, he also served as director of the shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham before being ordained bishop just a couple of months ago. Philippa Hitchen sat down with him to talk about the challenges he faces in his new ministry….

Listen: 

"This conference has been very user-friendly, I find I'm learning lots and meeting some very different people...

I'm a complete newcomer to Brentwood....it's a wonderful mix of about 20, very busy, East London parishes, but also about 90 Essex parishes. It's a very cosmopolitan place, lots of migration in recent years and the Catholic population, certainly in East London, is increasing...

East London has always been a place where you find this kind of problem (unemployment and social deprivation) I was first in East London 30 years ago, I was ordained in Whitechapel and so when I go back, in a certain sense, it fills me with adrenalin....the diocese has a substantial programme to help the homeless and for many years I've also been involved in a London refugee centre, so there are lots of ways where the Church can intervene in those places where other organisations won't go...

I'm ver fortunate that at Brentwood diocese we have excellent relations with Chelmsford diocese and I gather that the Catholic diocese of Brentwood and the Anglican diocese of Chelmsford are the only co-terminus dioceses in England, we share exactly the same borders and Bishop Stephen (Cottrell) has made me very welcome indeed....."