Ordination: Father Mark Vickers

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor ordained Deacon Mark Vickers to the priesthood at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday morning. More than 50 priests concelebrated the Mass which was attended by his family, many friends - some who had flown to London from overseas for the event, and parishioners from Holy Apostles, Pimlico where he has been serving for the past 18 months. Fr Mark celebrated his first Mass yesterday morning, the Feast of the Epiphany, at Holy Apostles. Bishop George Stack gave the homily. During the reception afterwards Fr Mark stood for more than an hour blessing parishioners. Born at Louth in Lincolnshire in 1966, Fr Mark read history at Durham university and practised Law in the City of London for seven years, before he began his training for the priesthood. He studied theology at the Gregorian College in Rome while a member of the Venerable English College. Last autumn he published a book on St Eustace White, one of the English Martyrs who was also born in Louth, and was a member of the English College. (See review). Fr Mark will begin working at the parish of St Sebastian and St Pancras in Kingsbury Green, north London, next month.