Diocese of Dundee
Natal, South Africa
The twinning of Brentwood with Dundee was forged around 1985 when Michael Rowland
became Bishop of the newly formed diocese of Dundee.
Bishop Michael was born and brought up in Grays, Essex. He became a Franciscan priest
and has spent much of his working life in South Africa.
He came to visit Bishop Thomas when he was newly ordained a Bishop and they forged
the twinning at that time. The twinning was originally envisaged to be one of spiritual
support and friendship but over the years it has taken on many different forms,
including the twinning of parishes, schools etc.
Priests and Deacons have been exchanged for a time. Fr Gerald Gostling, a Brentwood
priest, is presently working in the diocese of Dundee.
Two parishes in Brentwood Diocese are supporting students studying for the priesthood
in South Africa.
Related News:
Wickford Catholics raise £16,000 for South African appeal »
Twinned Parishes in the Diocese
| Basildon, Holy Trinity | Embalenhle |
| Benfleet | Ezakheni |
| Billericay | Blaaubosch |
| Braintree | Ermelo |
| Brentwood | Maria Ratschitz |
| Chelmsford (Blessed Sacrament) | Newcastle |
| Chingford (Christ the King) | Berbice |
| Clayhall | Pomeroy |
| Colchester | Damesfontein |
| Danbury | Standerton |
| Epping | Thistle Grove/Lebohang |
| Grays | Bishop Michael Rowland |
| Hainault | Maria Ratschitz |
| Harwich and Dovercourt | Piet Retief |
| Hornchurch (Mother of God) | Piet Retief |
| Hornchurch (English Martyrs) | Evander |
| Hutton | Dundee |
| Ingatestone | St George, Madedeni |
| Kelvedon | Besters |
| Leigh-on-Sea | Amakhasi |
| Maldon (Franciscan Convent) | Newcastle (Fransiscan Convent) |
| Rochford | Osizweni |
| Romford | Ladysmith |
| Saffron Walden | Driefontein |
| Shoeburyness | Mayflower Mass Centre, Damesfontein |
| South Woodham Ferrers | Kriel & Bethal |
| Springfield | Mhlumayo and Mhlumayo School |
| Stanford-le-Hope | Breyten/Wesselton (Ermelo sublink) |
| Westcliff-on-Sea | Christ the King, Madedeni |
| Wickford | Volksrust |
| Witham | Dannhauser |
| Mid Essex Deanery | Ladysmth Deanery |
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael which
was tendered in the latter half of 2004 when he reached the age of 75. Father Peter
Cullen who was a priest of Brentwood diocese before he was incardinated into the
diocese of Dundee has been elected Administrator, pending the appointment of Bishop
Michael's successor.