New Plymouth bishop named seven months after shock cancellation of first choice

The Pope has announced a new Bishop of Plymouth after the original choice was mysteriously cancelled earlier this year.

Francis has named Auxiliary Bishop Philip Moger of Southwark, formerly a priest of the Diocese of Leeds, to become the 10^th bishop of the diocese covering the south-westernmost region of England.

In December 2023, Canon Christopher Whitehead, a priest of the Diocese of Clifton, had been invited to become the bishop when the elevation of the Most Rev. Mark O’Toole as Archbishop of Cardiff and Menevia left the see vacant.

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.

The appointment of Bishop Moger, 69, to Plymouth as his replacement was welcomed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, the president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

He said: “I congratulate the Right Reverend Philip Moger on his appointment as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Plymouth.

“He will bring experience and wisdom to that diocese although his moving is a loss to the Archdiocese of Southwark.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Canon Paul Cummins who has led the diocese over the last two years.”

Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark also offer Bishop Moger his congratulations.

He said: “Bishop Philip’s many gifts, and his warmth and kindness, have been so very much appreciated during his 18 months with us as an auxiliary bishop.

 “We thank him for all he has done in Southwark and assure him of our prayers and best wishes for his new ministry. May Christ the Good Shepherd continue to bless him and all those he will serve.”

Bishop Moger, who will be installed in Plymouth on November 9, said he was honoured by the appointment.

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. His mother died when he was five and he was raised by his grandmother and father. He began his working life in banking and then entered St Cuthbert’s Seminary at Ushaw in County Durham to begin studies for the priesthood.

 He was ordained for the Diocese of Leeds in 1982 and was appointed an assistant priest at St Urban’s, Headingley, also serving as a chaplain to the local school, a Sue Ryder home and a hospital for people with learning difficulties. In 1985 he was appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Ilkley to serve the renewal of parishes and schools.

 In 1992 he was appointed an assistant at Leeds Cathedral and was also appointed as vocations director. He served as bishop’s secretary and as a parish priest in parishes in Bradford and Leeds.

In 2008, he returned to Leeds Cathedral as dean. He was appointed a prelate of honour, with the title monsignor, and subsequently a canon of the Cathedral Chapter. He chaired the Diocese of Leeds Liturgical Commission, was director of liturgy of the Diocese of Leeds Lourdes Pilgrimage and was also responsible for the liturgies during the papal visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Great Britain in 2010.

 In September 2020, he took up the appointment as the Rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk and was ordained bishop in Southwark in February 2023.

(Photo of Bishop Moger courtesy of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales)

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