Three new Vice Presidents at Catholic Union

Feb 28th, 2024

Alexander Stafford, Mary Glindon, Stephen Pound

Source: Catholic Union

The Catholic Union has announced the appointment of three new Vice Presidents today.

They are the serving MPs, Mary Glindon and Alexander Stafford, and former MP, Stephen Pound. Their nominations were approved by the Catholic Union's Council and they take up their posts with immediate effect.

The Catholic Union's Vice Presidents are honorary positions designed to bolster the work of the Union in the public sphere.

The vacancies were created by the death of John Barrie, the appointment of Baroness Hollins as President of the Catholic Union having previously served as a Vice President, and the creation of a new post.

The appointments add to an already strong team of Vice Presidents at the Catholic Union and will give the work of the Union even greater reach and profile in this General Election year.

Mary Glindon is the Labour MP for North Tyneside, having been first elected in May 2010. She currently undertakes the role of Opposition Whip in the House of Commons.

Stephen Pound was the Labour MP for Ealing North from 1997 to 2019, and one of the founder members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Holy See. He was one of the three Eucharistic Ministers (the others being Sir Edward Leigh and Carol Monaghan) who assisted the Catholic Chaplain to Parliament at the Wednesday Mass.

Alexander Stafford is the Conservative MP for Rother Valley, having been elected in December 2019. He is also Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See, and is a past President of the Newman Society at Oxford University.

Nigel Parker, Catholic Union Director, said: "These new appointments are very exciting. We have been fortunate over the years to count on the support of so many dedicated lay men and women to serve as office holders of the Catholic Union. Our newest Vice Presidents are no exception, and we are delighted to welcome them on board. With a General Election approaching, the political experience and expertise of Mary, Stephen, and Alexander will be invaluable. We are looking forward to working with them over the years ahead."

Alexander Stafford MP commented: "I am delighted to have been appointed a Vice President of the Catholic Union, one of the most important voices for Catholics in the UK. I look forward to continuing to speak up for British Catholics, both inside and outside Parliament, and use my platform to further ecumenical discussion wherever I can."

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