Mgr. Philip
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I was born in 1947, fifth of seven children, to a Catholic family in Bradford. I went to school at St. Bede’s Grammar School, Bradford until 15 when I transferred to the junior seminary at Ushaw College Durham. At 18 I went to the English College in Rome for studies in philosophy and theology. I was ordained priest in Rome in December 1971.
After two years as a curate at St. Joseph’s Parish in Sheffield, I went for two years post-graduate studies in theology at Oriel College, Oxford.
In 1976 I returned to the English College in Rome, first as Tutor in Philosophy, and then as Vice-Rector. A final three years in Rome were spent as the first Director/Chaplain of the retreat and pilgrim centre at Palazzola.
I returned to England in 1988 as Parish Priest of Ss Peter and Paul Parish in Wakefield, where I supervised the building of a new Church and Parish Centre. In 1995 I moved to St. Urban’s Parish Leeds, but eighteen months later Bishop Konstant asked me to plan the conversion of the College of the Blessed Virgin in Headingley to be the new Diocesan Pastoral Centre and headquarters. It opened in 1999 as Hinsley Hall.
While Director of Hinsley Hall, I also became the Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation for the Diocese, leading the office for Religious Education and Catechetics. During this time I also was involved in developing Child Protection Policies for the Diocese, and was a member of several Diocesan committees.
In 2005 I left Hinsley Hall to become the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Cross Gates.
As a priest I began with strong academic interests in philosophy and theology, and later was part of the Neocatechumenate renewal movement in Rome. With friends I took an interest in the post ordination training of priests, especially their need for formation for leadership and management. I relax with gardening, poetry, European art and architecture, and following sport, especially cricket.
Published Sun 24th Mar 2013 10:15:08