Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Philip Moger as the new Bishop of Plymouth.

A priest of the Diocese of Leeds for over 40 years, Bishop Philip Moger has, until now, served as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Southwark.

On hearing news of the appointment Archbishop John Wilson, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark, said: “On behalf of everyone in our Archdiocese of Southwark, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Philip Moger on his appointment by our Holy Father as the new Bishop of Plymouth.

“Bishop Philip’s many gifts, and his warmth and kindness, have been so very much appreciated during his 18 months with us as an Auxiliary Bishop.

“We thank him for all he has done in Southwark and assure him of our prayers and best wishes for his new ministry. May Christ the Good Shepherd continue to bless him and all those he will serve.”

Born in 1955, Bishop-elect Philip Moger grew up in Halifax, Yorkshire. His mother died when he was five and he was raised by his grandmother and father. He began his working life in banking and then entered St Cuthbert’s Seminary at Ushaw in County Durham to begin studies for the priesthood.

He was ordained for the Diocese of Leeds in 1982 and was appointed an assistant priest at St Urban’s, Headingley, also serving as a chaplain to the local school, a Sue Ryder home and a hospital for people with learning difficulties. In 1985 he was appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Ilkley to serve the renewal of parishes and schools.

In 1992 he was appointed an assistant at Leeds Cathedral and was also appointed as Vocations Director. He served as bishop’s secretary and as a parish priest in parishes in Bradford and Leeds.

In 2008, he returned to Leeds Cathedral as Dean. He was appointed a Prelate of Honour, with the title Monsignor, and subsequently a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter. He chaired the Diocese of Leeds Liturgical Commission, was Director of Liturgy of the Diocese of Leeds Lourdes Pilgrimage and was also responsible for the liturgies during the Papal Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Great Britain in 2010.

In September 2020, he took up the appointment as the Rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk.

In February 2023, he became an Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark.

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