Pope Leo XIV has made new episcopal appointments in England that strengthen pastoral care and ecclesial coordination in two historic dioceses of the country. On one hand, he has accepted the resignation of Monsignor Terence Patrick Drainey as Bishop of Middlesbrough and has appointed the Bishop of Leeds, Marcus Stock, as apostolic administrator. On the other, he has designated Reverend Canon Gerard Bradley as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Southwark, assigning him the titular see of Beverley.
Resignation in Middlesbrough and new apostolic administrator
The Pope accepted the resignation presented by Monsignor Terence Patrick Drainey from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, in accordance with canon 401 §1 of the Code of Canon Law, after nearly 18 years at the helm of that see. Drainey was born in Manchester in 1949 and was ordained a priest in 1975. He was appointed the seventh Bishop of Middlesbrough in 2007 and consecrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral on January 25, 2008, leading the diocese ever since, which covers part of the east and north of Yorkshire and the city of York.
Following the acceptance of his resignation, the Pontiff appointed Monsignor Marcus Stock, current Bishop of Leeds, as apostolic administrator of the vacant see. The Holy See and the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales report that Stock will retain his ministry in Leeds while provisionally assuming the pastoral leadership of Middlesbrough. In a statement, the religious expressed his willingness to serve “with faith in Jesus Christ and with the help of the Virgin Mary” and highlighted his desire to collaborate with the clergy and faithful of both dioceses to strengthen the mission and witness of the Church in those regions.
For his part, Bishop Emeritus Drainey thanked the Holy See for the opportunity to have served “with joy and privilege” the diocese for nearly two decades and trusted that Stock’s work will bring “blessings and new impulses” for the Christian community.
New auxiliary bishop in Southwark
In the metropolitan Archdiocese of Southwark, which covers south London, the county of Kent, and surrounding areas, the Pope has appointed Reverend Canon Gerard Bradley as auxiliary bishop, assigning him the titular see of Beverley. According to the Episcopal Conference, the Archbishop of Southwark, Monsignor John Wilson, expressed his satisfaction with the appointment, noting that Bradley has served the archdiocese “with prayerful love and ecclesial commitment” and will be a key help in advancing evangelization and the formation of Christian disciples.
Gerard Bradley was born in London on October 22, 1960. He holds a degree in Music from King’s College London and was ordained a priest on June 9, 1991. During his ministry, he has held various pastoral and formative roles: parish vicar in Rainham and at St. George’s Cathedral, hospital chaplain, formator and spiritual director at St. John’s Seminary in Wonersh, as well as parish priest and dean in the southwest area of the archdiocese. Since 2023, he has served as episcopal vicar for the southeast area, member of the Archbishop’s Council, and director of ongoing formation for the clergy.
Bradley received the news with gratitude and stated that the call to the episcopate is a constant invitation to deepen obedience and humility, always looking to Christ as the center of the mission. His episcopal ordination is scheduled for February 2, 2026, at St. George’s Cathedral in Southwark.