News diary Bishop Tom Williams retires from the Office of Auxiliary Bishop

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Mgr John Devine OBE

the mouth of Jesus; poignant phrases that captured his abandonment and betrayal. still hear those words in my head: ‘Amicus meus osculi mei’ (My friend [betrayed] me with a kiss); ‘Melius illi erat si natus non fuisset‘ (It would have been better if he had not been born); ‘Cum gladiis et fustibus exierunt tamquam ad latronem’ (They went out with swords and clubs as to a thief’); ‘Attendite, et videte, si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus’ (Attend and see if there be sorrow like my sorrow).

Late afternoon on Wednesday in Holy Week, the Upholland choir sang Tenebrae at the Metropolitan Cathedral, a service repeated the following morning back at the college. The present-day cathedral had yet to be built. We sang in the crypt. Archbishop John Carmel Heenan processed down the aisle in his Capa Magna, the long train that prelates wore in the days before Vatican II. Afterwards we were treated to tea at Reece’s in Clayton Square. That building is now occupied by Tesco.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that the choir of Westminster Cathedral had recorded a full set of the responsories. I take it out each year and play it in my car. It is good to immerse ourselves in the tragedy of Holy Week. Easter Sunday makes no sense without it.

In accordance with Canon Law Bishop Tom Williams submitted his resignation from the Office of Auxiliary Bishop to the Holy Father following his 75th birthday.

At 12.00 noon, Rome time, on Saturday 25 March, it was published by the Holy See that the Holy Father Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Tom Williams from the office of Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool upon reaching the age of 75 years. Bishop Williams will now be known as Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus.

Commenting on this milestone for Bishop Tom, Archbishop Malcolm said, ‘20 years ago to the day, the then Canon Tom Williams of St Anthony of Egypt, Scotland Road was called by Pope St John Paul II to be an auxiliary bishop. Two decades on, we give thanks for so much accomplished and for God’s blessing on the years ahead.

‘Today is an opportunity for the entire archdiocese to thank God for the long, dedicated ministry of one of its own as deacon, priest, and bishop. Bishop

Tom, very much a son of the city of Liverpool, and granted the freedom of the City recently, is well known and loved by many and has made valuable contributions to the civil and ecclesial life of the city and region. Today marks a point in his ministry when, freed from the administrative burdens of being a vicar general and civil trustee, he can focus more on what he enjoys so much; that is the pastoral ministry of being a priest and bishop. I look forward to his continued help as the Auxiliary Emeritus.’

Bishop Tom’s pastoral ministry spans more than 50 years since his ordination in the Metropolitan Cathedral on 27 May 1972. He has served in the parishes of St Francis of Assisi, Garston; Sacred Heart, Liverpool; Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Liverpool and St Anthony, Scotland Road. It was while serving at St Anthony’s that he became Chair of Project Jennifer – a local initiative to re-generate the North end of Liverpool which resulted in a £160M new-build housing and retail park which opened in 2017 and is still progressing.

Bishop Tom said, ‘I give thanks for the many blessings of my ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool. The happiest days of my life have been spent in Chaplaincy work in hospitals, schools and prisons and now look forward to focussing on and continuing that pastoral ministry.’