Northampton Cathedral was full on Saturday 22nd February for the farewell Mass for Bishop Peter Doyle. Bishop Peter is retiring since he has reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, for Bishops and Priests. A large number of priests and deacons alongside religious sisters and laity attended the Mass to give thanks for his 14.5 years of Episcopal ministry in our diocese.
Our new Bishop, Canon David Oakley, will be ordained on Thursday 19th March in our Cathedral. Cardinal Vincent Nichols will be principle consecrator with a large number of Bishops, Priests form both our own diocese and his current Archdiocese,Birmingham in attendance.
At the end of Mass, Mgr Sean Healy, the vicar general and provost, gave a testimony to Bishop Peter’s time as Bishop. He spoke not just of his accomplishments as Bishop but said that people would surely above all else remember the man.
You can watch the Mass above and visit our Flickr page for photos of this great celebration.