His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Fr Michael Campbell OSA coadjutor Bishop in the Diocese of Lancaster. As coadjutor he will have the right of succession, thus on the retirement of Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue in the summer of 2009, Bishop Campbell will become the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Lancaster.
On hearing of his appointment Bishop–elect Campbell said:
"...I feel humbled and deeply touched by my appointment by Pope Benedict XVI as coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster. It was in the Lancaster diocese that I was ordained priest and have the happiest memories of the ten years I spent working in the Diocese with the late Bishop John Brewer. I have always found the Clergy, Religious and people of the diocese of Lancaster warm and friendly. In a sense I feel I am coming back home and I greatly look forward, with God's grace, to working with Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue and serving the diocese as a bishop..."[Bishop Campbell will be ordained Bishop in St Peter’s Cathedral Lancaster: Date to be advised]
