It’s been a joy for me to celebrate my first Sunday Mass here in the Cathedral with you all – and with my family here too!

Our Dad had quite deep West Country roots.

The very last thing he said he said before he died was, “The Argyle did all right last night, didn’t they?”!

He was a lifelong supporter!

His family had settled here when he was just 4 – first in Parkstone, Poole, then here in Crownhill; he went to school in Yelverton and then in Bodmin.

He took me and my brothers on countless holidays across the Diocese; and I’m so looking forward to deepening my knowledge of the three counties, particularly their  Catholic communities and institutions.

I’m looking forward to exploring with you how Synodality can help us grow as a Church and draw more people to Christ.

One thing I’ve noticed about Synodal conversations is how they bring out people’s love for the Church.

I sense a great love for the Church here in our Diocese, in the way people have welcomed me both here at the Cathedral and across Plymouth Diocese.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible as you take your leave of the Cathedral after Mass; and to getting to know you over the next several years as we set out together on this next chapter in the life of the Diocese.