Book: Biography of Cardinal Bourne

Fr Vickers with Archbishop Nichols at the launch of 'By the Thames Divided'

A new biography, exploring the life of Cardinal Francis Bourne, was launched at Archbishop’s House, Westminster on Tuesday. 'By the Thames Divided' written by Fr Mark Vickers - Parish Priest at St Peter’s, Hatfield - explores Cardinal Bourne’s service to the Diocese of Westminster as Archbishop between 1901-1935, the longest of any Archbishop of Westminster in history.

At the launch, Fr Vickers spoke of Cardinal Bourne as being ‘virtually unknown’ in his role as Archbishop even though he served the Diocese through the First World War, Irish Troubles and the formation and rise of the Labour Party. He also illustrated Bourne’s greatest strength as his work within the Diocese itself, reforming the seminary at St Edmund’s, Ware and building up the number of vocations to the priesthood.

The book’s forward was written by the Most Rev George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff. In attendance were the Most Rev. Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and the Right Revs. John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, and Keith Newton, Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.

'By the Thames Divided' by Fr Mark Vickers is published by Gracewing and costs £25. For more information see:  www.gracewing.co.uk