The Right Reverend

Michael Evans
Bishop of East Anglia
Church St. John's RC Cathedral, Norwich
Province Westminster
Diocese East Anglia
See East Anglia
Appointed 14 February 2003
Installed 19 March 2003
Predecessor Peter Smith
Orders
Ordination 22 June 1975
Consecration 19 March 2003
by Cormac Murphy-O’Connor
Personal details
Birth name Michael Charles Evans
Born (1951-08-10) 10 August 1951 (age 65)
Southwark, South London
Nationality British
Denomination Roman Catholic
Previous post Parish Priest until 2003, St. Augustines Church, Tunbridge Wells
Alma mater St. John's Seminary (Wonersh)
Styles of
Michael Evans
Mitre (plain).svg
Reference style The Right Reverend
Spoken style My Lord
Religious style Bishop

Michael Charles Evans (born 10 August 1951, South London), is currently the third Roman Catholic Bishop of East Anglia, in the Ecclesiastical Province of Westminster.

Contents

Biography[edit]

Ordained as a Priest at Southwark on June 22, 1975, Michael Evans spent some time as an assistant priest, then studied for a Master of Theology degree at the University of London for four years (1975 to 1979) subsequently returning to St. John's Seminary for eight years as lecturer in Doctrine.

During his time within the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Michael has held many and varied posts, ranging from the chaplain of a convent school to chairman of the Archdiocese of Southwark's Justice and Peace Coordinating Committee.

From 1995 until 2003, he served as Parish Priest at St. Augustine's church in Tunbridge Wells.

On 14 February 2003 Pope John Paul II appointed Canon Evans as the third Bishop of East Anglia. He succeeded the Most Reverend Peter Smith, who is now Archbishop of Southwark. Canon Michael was ordained as the third Bishop of East Anglia at the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist, Norwich on 19 March 2003.

On his appointment as the new bishop, Canon Michael Evans said: 'I was astonished to be appointed as Bishop of East Anglia, and have a real sense of my unworthiness for this responsibility, but I accepted this new ministry with a joyful though nervous 'yes'. I look forward to getting to know the diocesan family of East Anglia, and to working with my brother priests and deacons as a team dedicated to the ministry of Christ. As I prepare for my ordination, I ask everyone to keep me in their prayers.' [1]

Illness[edit]

In November 2006 Bishop Michael announced through the Diocesan office in Norwich that he was suffering from prostate cancer and undergoing radiotherapy 1 to treat the condition.[2]

Bishop Michael is one of the younger prostate cancer sufferers as the disease usually strikes people over the age of 60 unless there is a family history of the illness. He said he has been helped through the illness by the radiotherapy team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, support from the community and his faith in God.[3]

“I am in the recovery period at the moment”, the bishop said. “I have finished the radiotherapy sessions but I have no idea what the long term effects are. I will not find that out until at least next month when I have more tests ... I am much more tired than I was when I was having treatment and have had to rest a great deal. This is meant to be the worst time for side-effects and I am really feeling it ... It has been a real battle but I have had a lot of support from everyone and at no time did I even consider giving up. It is one of those things that you have to just keep fighting.”[3]

Progression of Cancer[edit]

On Sunday, 2 January 2011, Bishop Michael issued a statement through all the Catholic churches in the East Anglia Diocese, confirming that he is coming to the end of his life. The following is excerpts from this statement, which can be seen in full here :

"In the last few weeks, the cancer has rather quickly taken control. My oncology and palliative care consultants informed me openly and honestly just before Christmas that I now probably have only weeks to live, and I am prepared for that as I can be, accepting it with faith as a gift of God's grace."

"Rather than resign, I would like to continue among you as your bishop and the father of our diocesan family until this stage of my life ends. I do not know how long that will be. I am most grateful for the ways you have cared for and so prayerfully supported me in recent years. You remain very much in my thoughts and care. As I am sure you understand, I am able to do very little, and will need to rely on others. Please can I ask you to limit any expressions of care to prayer for now, rather than anything else to which I cannot respond."

The statement was issued to all Catholics in the East Anglia Diocese and received by all those who attended masses across the whole of the Eastern Region of England. Bishop Michael concluded the statement as follows:

"As I live now under the shadow of death, my prayer is very much that of St. Paul that I may know something of the power of Christ's resurrection and a share in his sufferings, trusting that the Lord is with me. I pray that even now, I can joyfully witness something of the good news we are all called to proclaim." [4]

Death[edit]

On Monday 11th of July 2011 Michael Evans died.

References[edit]

  1. ^ http://www.catholiceastanglia.org/bishop/
  2. ^ "Norwich bishop speaks of cancer battle". Norwich Evening News, reprinted in network::Norwich, The Christian Community website for Norwich. Archived from the original on 2007-04-17. Retrieved 2007-04-17. 
  3. ^ a b Network Norwich : Norwich bishop speaks of cancer battle
  4. ^ "Statement to the Diocese from Bishop Michael" (Press release). Catholic Diocese of East Anglia. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2011. 

External links[edit]

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Peter Smith
Bishop of East Anglia
2003 - present
Succeeded by
Incumbent

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