The Pontifical Beda College

Dear Friends, 

the election of Pope Leo and his first weeks of the Petrine Ministry have brought a particular ‘buzz’ to the City of Rome- his very easy style of welcome and inclusion reminds many of the style of Pope Francis but of course the truth is every Pope is unique and they bring their own personality and skills to the exercise of the ministry of Peter, the one to who strengthens the brothers and sisters in the faith of Jesus Christ ( see Luke 22;32 )
Life here in College is caught up very much at the moment with examinations and – for those who are returning to their respective Diocese and Religious Communities at the conclusion of their 4 years here – the not inconsequential task of packing ! This year, of course, the group of  leavers includes myself…. after 10 years as Rector of the College I am returning to the Archdiocese of Liverpool where I am to take up a posting at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary of the Isle at Douglas on the Isle of Man. 
 Saint Mary’s is – since last November, the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese . As the Archdiocese of Liverpool straddles two countries ( England and the Isle of Man ) Canon Law foresees that the Bishop can have two Cathedrals -- churches in which he has his Cathedra, his chair of teaching.
During the summer months our seminarians will have a well deserve period of holiday and rest and will also have their pastoral placements in parishes or chaplaincies. My thanks to those parishes and priests who will support and inspire them over these next months; they will learn much from you and hopefully they will also bring to your lives and your Communities something of the joy of the Gospel and of our common discipleship on the way of the Lord. 

Father Philip