Bishop Alan has announced the following appointments will take effect on the weekend of 5/6 September 2026:
PARISH PRIESTS
Fr Paschal Uche from Assistant, Grays to Canvey Island, including Pastoral Care for Southend Hospital.
Fr Michael Barwick from Assistant, Chelmsford to Braintree
PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR
Fr Jude Kurumeh CSSp From Assistant, Hornchurch St Mary to East Ham
ASSISTANT PRIESTS
Fr Shajin Jose Anthony From Walthamstow, Our Lady & St George to Chelmsford Parishes [Our Lady Immaculate, Holy Name, St Augustine of Canterbury]
Fr János Csicso from the Hungarian Chaplaincy to Chelmsford Parishes [Our Lady Immaculate, Holy Name, St Augustine of Canterbury].
Fr Andrei Ilies, newly ordained, to Walthamstow Our Lady and St George.
Fr Joseph Soosai Marian from sabbatical to Hornchurch St Mary (from 17/18 October).
CHAPLAIN TO THE MARILLAC
Fr Eamonn Power has been appointed as the Chaplain to the Marillac Hospital and will reside on site in the Chaplain’s Lodge.
ORDINATIONS
Congratulations to Deacon Jonathan Burden who was ordained transitional deacon by Bishop Paul McAleenan at Westminster Cathedral on 13 June 2026. Jonathan will assist at Canning Town.
Congratulations to Fr Andrei Ilieş who was ordained (right) to the Sacred Priesthood at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Helen Brentwood on Saturday 4 July 2026.
RETIREMENTS
Canon Bob Hamill will retire as Parish Priest of East Ham. Canon Bob was ordained at Cardiff on 20 July 1974 by Bishop Patrick Casey. He served as Assistant Priest in Ilford Ss Peter & Paul (1974-1978); Chelmsford (1978-1979); Lexden (1979-1982); East Ham (1982-1987) and Parish Priest in Tilbury (1987-1994); Elm Park (1994-2009); East Ham (2009-2026).
He also served on Council of Priests; Dean of Newham; Chaplain and Trustee Catholic Fellowship Disability Network. He was appointed to the Office of Canon in the Cathedral Chapter in 2019.
We wish Canon Bob a long and happy retirement.
