Tom Burns (bishop)
| The Right Reverend Tom Burns SM BA BD | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Menevia | |
 | |
| Province | Cardiff |
| Diocese | Menevia |
| Appointed | 16 October 2008 |
| Installed | 1 December 2008 |
| Predecessor | John Mark Jabalé |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 16 December 1971 |
| Consecration |
18 June 2002 by Cormac Murphy-O’Connor |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Thomas Matthew Burns |
| Born |
3 June 1944 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post | Bishop of the Forces |
Thomas Matthew Burns SM BA BD (called Tom;[1] born 3 June 1944) is a British Roman Catholic Bishop. On 16 October 2008 he was appointed as Bishop of Menevia by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming Bishop on 1 December 2008 when he took possession of his new See, on which day he ceased to be Bishop of the Forces.[2] He is now Bishop Promoter for the Apostleship of the Sea, Catholic organisation that provides pastoral and practical assistance to all seafarers.
Biography
Tom Burns was born in Belfast,[2] but his family later moved to Lancashire. After studying at St. Mary's College, Blackburn, a sixth form in an Exeter school, and a monastery in Paignton, Burns was ordained to the priesthood on 16 December 1971, for the Society of Mary.[2][1]
On 24 May 2002, he was appointed to head the military ordinariate of Great Britain, the Bishopric of the Forces. He received his episcopal consecration on the following 18 June from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, with Bishop Francis Walmsley and Archbishop Patrick Altham Kelly serving as co-consecrators.[1]
Burns has been a vociferous critic of the UK Ministry of Defence, complaining that troops in Iraq were "frustrated by restrictions, checks and delays that are placed on them but not on their opponents", and that their "activities are often jeopardised by poor equipment, outmoded vehicles and inadequate apparel".[3]
He also voiced criticism against Harriet Harman MP's Equality Bill, which helped lead to its withdrawal, Bishop Burns felt that it would force the Catholic Church to govern itself as an industry or business, employing priests as employees, when in fact, the Church looks upon its priests as "Brothers of Christ".
References
- 1 2 3 "The Right Reverend Thomas Matthew Burns". The Diocese of Menevia. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- 1 2 3 "Bishop Thomas Matthew Burns". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ↑ The Independent news story
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Francis Joseph Walmsley |
Bishop of the Forces 2002–2008 |
Succeeded by Richard Moth |
| Preceded by John Mark Jabalé |
Bishop of Menevia 2008 – present |
Incumbent |
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