Bishop Anthony Randazzo has offered his heartfelt congratulations to Fr David Waller, after he was appointed the new ordinary and first bishop of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in the United Kingdom by Pope Francis on Monday.
The appointed Fr Waller as the new leader of the ordinariate after accepting the resignation Monsignor Keith Newton, the group’s current ordinary.
Monsignor Newton, who had been ordinary of the Ordinariate since its inception in 2011, had not been eligible to receive episcopal ordination as a married man but Fr Waller is a celibate and therefore will receive episcopal ordination. Following his consecration, he will become the first former Anglican clergy member to lead a Personal Ordinariate as Bishop.
In a statement, Bishop Anthony, currently Apostolic Administrator of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, said he welcomed the news of the appointment.
“Together with the clergy and Christ’s lay faithful of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and pledge our prayers for Bishop-elect Waller as he prepares to assume his new pastoral responsibilities,” said Bishop Anthony.
“This moment of transition is celebrated across continents as we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the United Kingdom.
“Joining me in this message of welcome is Bishop Steven Lopes from the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter in North America. Together we affirm our commitment to fostering close bonds of communion and cooperation within the Ordinariate ministry and mission in the Catholic Church.”
Bishop-elect David Waller was born in London on 10 June 1961 and received education at the School of St David and St Katharine in Hornsey and the College of Ripon and York St John, University of Leeds.
He worked as a social worker until 1989, when he left to train for Anglican orders. He was ordained a deacon in 1991 and priest in 1992 within the Church of England.
During Holy Week in 2011, he was received into full communion with the Catholic Church and received Holy Orders. For the past four years, he has served as Vicar General of the Ordinariate.
Outgoing ordinary Monsignor Newton the appointment was a historical occasion in the life of the Church.
“This is a momentous day in the life of the Ordinariate,” he said.
“You will understand that I have mixed feelings about giving up being Ordinary after over 13 years but I think it is the right time for me to hand over to someone new. More importantly this is the first time that a new Ordinary of the 3 Ordinariates has been selected from one of its serving priests. Deo Gratias.”
Bishop Anthony praised the 13 years of guidance Monsignor Newton had given the Ordinariate since its inception.
“I would also like to extend my profound gratitude and fellowship in prayer to Monsignor Keith Newton, who has faithfully shepherded the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham since its foundation in 2011,” he said.
“His dedication and service have been foundational to the growth and spiritual nourishment of the Ordinariate.
“As we welcome Bishop-elect Waller, we pray that his ministry will be blessed with wisdom, joy, and a deepened faith. May his leadership continue to strengthen the ties of our Catholic Ordinariate community and may we all be renewed in our mission to witness Christ’s love and mercy.”
Details of Fr Waller’s episcopal ordination have not been released but he is expected to be consecrated towards the end of June.