New bishop appointed to 'beautiful Plymouth'

The bishop-elect has served as a priest in the Diocese of Clifton

Canon Christopher Whitehead has been named as the 10th Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth.

He succeeds Archbishop Mark O’Toole, who moved to Wales in June 2022.

The bishop-elect, who has served as a priest in the Diocese of Clifton, based in Bristol, said he was humbled and grateful for the appointment.

"Like Clifton, Plymouth is such a beautiful part of this country and I am truly happy to have the opportunity to make my home among its great people," he said.

He added: "Clifton has been my home for the 54 years of my life, and it is where I learned to walk in the ways of faith and where my priestly vocation was born and nurtured.

"For that, I will be eternally thankful."

The Diocese of Plymouth covers Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.

It has 67 parishes, stretching from Penzance and the Isles of Scilly in the west, to parts of Bournemouth in Dorset.

He is due to take up his new post early in 2024.