Two Good Appointments

I was very pleased to read this morning that Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, currently Bishop of Nottingham, is to be the new Archbishop of Liverpool. Bishop McMahon is one of very of the very few bishops in England and Wales who is willing and able to celebrate Mass in the older form. He celebrated the principal Mass at last years training conference at Ratcliffe College, and this was greatly appreciated by all who attended, priests and laity alike. Back in 2008, he was the celebrant at Solemn Vespers at an earlier Priests' Training Conference at Merton College in Oxford. He was also the principal after dinner speaker, and his oration went down exceptionally well on that occasion. I am sure that he will make an excellent Archbishop of Liverpool. This is not the only recent episcopal appointment that should give cheer to those who love good liturgy. A few days ago, it was announced that Fr Robert Byrne (Cong Orat) will be taking up the post of Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Fr Byrne is a member of the Oxford Oratory, and it almost goes without saying that this must be a good thing.