Bishops

Rt Rev. Paul Swarbrick

A profile of the Catholic Bishop of Lancaster, the Right Reverend Paul Swarbrick.

Bishop of Lancaster

At the time of his announcement as seventh Bishop of Lancaster, Bishop Paul Swarbrick had served as a priest of the diocese for over 35 years.

Born on 2 July 1958 to George Vincent Swarbrick and Alice Swarbrick (Horn), Bishop Swarbrick has three sisters and one brother.

He went to primary school in Garstang, Lancashire, and then on to Lancaster Royal Grammar school before training for the Priesthood at Ushaw College, Co Durham.

Ordained priest on 10 July 1982 at Ss Mary & Michael’s church, Garstang, he would go on to serve as Assistant Priest at St Mary, Kells, Whitehaven (1982 – 1983), St Maria Goretti, Preston (1983 – 1984), St Cuthbert, Blackpool (1984 – 1990) where he was also Chaplain to St Mary’s Catholic High School, Blackpool before volunteering to serve on the missions in Monze Diocese, Zambia (1990 – 2005).

Upon his return from Zambia he assisted at English Martyrs, Preston (2005 – 2006) and for a few months at Mater Amabilis, Ambleside until he was appointed Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart, Preston whilst also in charge of St Walburge, Preston (2007 – 2010).

In 2010 he was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady & St Michael, Workington – now the enlarged parish of Christ the Good Shepherd, Workington – Harrington where he currently serves – and is also the local Dean (Vicar Forane) for West Cumbria.

In 2015 he was made a Canon of Lancaster Cathedral Chapter.

He was ordained the seventh Bishop of Lancaster on 9 April 2018.

Link

For more, visit the Diocese of Lancaster’s website.