Monsignor Paul Fisher
Brief Biography

I was born in Bradford and spent most of my childhood in a place called Idle. I went to school at St Francis Primary School, St Blaise Middle School and finally Cardinal Hinsley High School which became Yorkshire Martyrs Collegiate School when I was in the upper sixth. My parents, Maureen and Adrian, still live in Idle and my siblings, Anthony with wife Net, Christopher, Margaret with husband John, and Damian with partner Linda are all in or about Bradford.

After leaving high school I studied Politics and Economic and Social History at York University for three years (1982-1985) before going to seminary at St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw. I was ordained priest in July 1991 and my first appointment was at St. Joseph's in Pontefract. It was here I had the opportunity to settle into priesthood and gain some valuable grounding experience in the schools, the hospital and the hospice. After three happy years there I was asked to embark on further studies which I did for two years at St Edmund’s College Cambridge, before returning to Ushaw to teach church history. During my seven years at Ushaw I held the posts of Senior Tutor, Director of Studies and, for a while, Vice Rector. I returned to the Diocese in 2003 and took up a new appointment as parish priest at St. Joseph's Batley Carr. This was my first experience of being a parish priest and I had had ten very happy years there which I will always remember fondly. Over the years I also picked up a few Diocesan roles of Episcopal Vicar for Outreach which includes being the Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese and having some oversight of inter religious relations in the diocese. I also became the Director of Deacons.

I was appointed to the parish of Blessed John Henry Newman in September 2013. The parish is much bigger parish than my previous one having three churches and three schools. In my role as parish priest I am ably supported by two assistant priests, two deacons, a parish sister, a parish administrator and a worshipping community who praying together and working together continue to seek, know, love and serve Christ.

May God Bless us All.

Mgr. Paul Fisher