Mystery as installation of Plymouth bishop cancelled for second time in under a year

The installation of a new Bishop of Plymouth has been mysteriously suspended for the second time in under a year.

Auxiliary Bishop Philip Moger of Southwark was due to be installed as the 10^th bishop of the diocese tomorrow.

But in a shock statement the bishop-elect has announced that the installation will not go ahead as planned.

Bishop Moger said: “In the very last few days, concerns have been raised of a personal nature to which I must attend immediately. This will take a little time.

“I have therefore agreed with all directly concerned to delay my installation as the new Bishop of Plymouth until these processes have been completed.

“I sincerely regret this delay and offer my apologies to all who are disappointed and inconvenienced.

“However, it is important that everything is properly in place and due process observed. While this process takes place no further comment will be made.”

Bishop Moger is the second choice of bishop for the diocese covering the most south-western counties of England in a year since the elevation of the last bishop, Mark O’Toole, as Archbishop of Cardiff and Menevia.

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Moger, formerly a priest of the Diocese of Leeds, after Clifton priest Canon Christopher Whitehead, his original choice in December 2023 was forced to step aside because of accusations which proved to be unfounded.

Canon Whitehead was a popular and highly-respected parish priest in Bath and had also worked as Clifton’s director of Adult Education, director of ongoing formation of priests, and director of formation for the permanent diaconate

But in February the bishops of England and Wales cancelled the ordination of the Bishop-elect just weeks before his installation Mass.

Canon Whitehead was also suspended from active ministry while “a canonical process” was under way, but two months later he resumed parish ministry at the Church of St John the Evangelist in Bath – an indication that the allegation against him was false.

Bishop Moger had said he was honoured by the appointment to Plymouth.

He said: “I look forward to visiting and getting to know the clergy, religious and lay faithful in this beautiful part of the Lord’s vineyard.”

Born in 1955, Bishop-elect Philip Moger grew up in Halifax, Yorkshire. He was ordained for the Diocese of Leeds in 1982 and in 2020 was made Rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk. He was ordained bishop in Southwark in February 2023.

(© Mazur/cbcew.org.uk)

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