Bishop Marcus Stock: A Shepherd for Three Dioceses

St Charles Borromeo Church looks forward to welcoming Bishop Marcus Stock on Sunday 29 November 2026, when he will visit the parish for the 10.00am Mass. His visit falls on the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Church's new liturgical year.

Born in London on 27 August 1961, Marcus Stock studied theology at Keble College, Oxford, before preparing for the priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome. He continued his theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he was awarded a Licence in Dogmatic Theology. He was ordained a deacon by Cardinal Basil Hume.

On 13 August 1988, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Birmingham by Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville.

His priestly ministry included serving as parish priest at St Birinus, Dorchester-on-Thames; St Peter's, Bloxwich; and Sacred Heart and St Theresa, Coleshill. Alongside his pastoral responsibilities, he developed a particular interest in Catholic education, becoming Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Birmingham in 1999.

In 2009, he was appointed General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, a position which involved him closely in the wider life and mission of the Church.

Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Leeds on 15 September 2014. His episcopal ordination and installation took place on 13 November that year.

A wider pastoral responsibility

Bishop Marcus's responsibilities increased significantly on 22 December 2025 when Pope Leo XIV appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, following the retirement of Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey.

On 20 March 2026, the Holy Father appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Hallam, following the resignation of Bishop Ralph Heskett.

He therefore continues as Bishop of Leeds while exercising pastoral governance in Middlesbrough and Hallam as their Apostolic Administrator.

For Catholics in Hull, this means Bishop Marcus has responsibility for the pastoral care of our diocese during an important period in its history.

At the request of Pope Leo XIV, a consultation has taken place across the three dioceses to explore the possibility of closer collaboration and their eventual union.

Representatives from all 193 parishes took part, alongside clergy, religious communities, educational leaders and lay people.

In a pastoral letter published in September, Bishop Marcus confirmed that the consultation findings had been compiled into a comprehensive report, which he hoped to submit to the Holy Father through the Apostolic Nuncio and the appropriate Vatican authorities. Any decision about a possible future union of the dioceses rests with Pope Leo XIV.

The central concern is not simply how diocesan boundaries or administrative arrangements might change, but how the Church can better fulfil her mission of proclaiming the Gospel and caring for God's people.

A motto drawn from the Last Supper

Bishop Marcus chose as his episcopal motto Desiderio, desideravi, drawn from Luke 22:15 and translated by the Diocese of Leeds as “I have desired with desire to be with you.”

The words recall Christ's longing to share the Passover with his disciples before his Passion. They remind us that the Eucharist lies at the heart of the Church's life.

His visit to St Charles will come at a time of renewed parish activity, with weekday Mass restored, the church opening more regularly and fresh opportunities for parishioners to share in its mission.

As we enter Advent and begin preparing for the coming of Christ, we shall have the opportunity to welcome Bishop Marcus, celebrate Mass together and pray for his ministry.

We look forward to welcoming Bishop Marcus to St Charles Borromeo Church on Sunday 29 November at 10.00am and assure him of our prayers as he continues his demanding ministry.