Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Westminster in 1990, Bishop Mark was appointed the 9th Bishop of Plymouth by Pope Francis in 2013 and received his episcopal consecration on 28 January 2014.
The Cathedral Church of St Mary & St Boniface is the Mother Church of the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth, established in 1850. The Cathedral itself was built in 1858 at the same time as a certain Bernadette Soubirious was receiving visions of Our Lady in the French town of Lourdes! The Marian connection has always been very important to us at the Cathedral and the Diocese. In the Cathedral you will be able to pray, celebrate the sacraments, listen to the word of God proclaimed and preached, and come to know and understand more deeply the faith which we profess in word and deed.
May your visit here be faithful in every sense.
May God bless you all
Rt. Rev Mark O'Toole, Bishop of Plymouth
May your visit here be faithful in every sense.
May God bless you all
Rt. Rev Mark O'Toole, Bishop of Plymouth
Latest Pastoral Messages from Bishop Mark
“Bishop Mark encourages Diocese in Care of our Common Home”
My dear brother and sisters,
I would like to share our first Diocesan Environmental Policy with you. This was
agreed by the Diocesan Trustees in January 2021. The policy is intended as a source
of guidance and support to parishes and schools in their work to promote a loving
care for “our common home” and to meet the ecological challenges which we all face.
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference invited us to review its own reflection document,
titled the ‘Call of Creation’, to look at our present situation and to promote good
practice for the diocese, our parishes and schools, as well as for families and
individuals. The policy is a response to that invitation and promotes serious
reflection on our relationship with God, with our neighbour and with the earth
through the way we manage our resources as a Church and School community.1
As missionary disciples, we are invited to be part of the redeeming mission of Christ,
and to approach our task with joy and gratitude remembering, “Rather than a
problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness
and praise.” (Laudato Si’ #12). Nevertheless, as individuals and as a community of
faith, we all know that there are serious environmental challenges. As Pope Francis
reminds us, we are not ‘hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth’, and we “have
grown indifferent to all kinds of wastefulness” (Fratelli Tutti #18).
I would like to share our first Diocesan Environmental Policy with you. This was
agreed by the Diocesan Trustees in January 2021. The policy is intended as a source
of guidance and support to parishes and schools in their work to promote a loving
care for “our common home” and to meet the ecological challenges which we all face.
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference invited us to review its own reflection document,
titled the ‘Call of Creation’, to look at our present situation and to promote good
practice for the diocese, our parishes and schools, as well as for families and
individuals. The policy is a response to that invitation and promotes serious
reflection on our relationship with God, with our neighbour and with the earth
through the way we manage our resources as a Church and School community.1
As missionary disciples, we are invited to be part of the redeeming mission of Christ,
and to approach our task with joy and gratitude remembering, “Rather than a
problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness
and praise.” (Laudato Si’ #12). Nevertheless, as individuals and as a community of
faith, we all know that there are serious environmental challenges. As Pope Francis
reminds us, we are not ‘hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth’, and we “have
grown indifferent to all kinds of wastefulness” (Fratelli Tutti #18).
Bishop invites all to be “super-spreaders of the Gospel” and not of the virus.
The Bishop of Plymouth, Bishop Mark O’Toole, in a Homily at Plymouth Cathedral on Sunday, 14th February, invited all to be ‘super-spreaders of the Gospel’, not of the virus. Reflecting on his experience of having just received the vaccine, Bishop Mark indicated that he had been invited to receive it by Devon County Council. They had contacted him because he is regarded as a potential ‘super-spreader’ of the virus, given his role working in the community, and ministering to communities across the South West.
The Bishop indicated that a nurse had said to him, “It’s not a nice title for you, Father, but of course you’re a super-spreader of the Gospel”, to which the Bishop replied, “I certainly hope so!” Bishop Mark commended the extraordinarily efficient process in the roll out of the vaccine and expressed “gratitude to the many healthcare professionals and volunteers who are making it possible”.
The Bishop drew parallels between our present experience and the scene in the Gospels where Jesus encounters a leper, and stretches out his hand to the leper, to touch and heal him. Bishop Mark commented, “Jesus knows intuitively that His physical health is not threatened in touching this man. In this, is his difference to us. Some people of faith – a very small minority it must be said – have suggested that believers should not worry about catching the virus. They suggest that it will not touch you if you have faith. This attitude is misguided. Apart from suggesting that faith acts like a kind of magic which instantly insulates us from all illness and disease, for us Christians, it is also something of a heresy. It equates us completely with the Lord, puts us on the same level. But we believe there is only one Son of God who became Incarnate. You or I are not Him. He is the Lord, we are not. He is the source of all life, of healing. We are not.”
The Bishop urged people who were doubtful about receiving the vaccine to “reflect seriously on the matter”, for “although it is a personal decision it is not just a private one.” Bishop Mark noted, “What we choose has consequences not just for ourselves, but for all those around us”. In receiving the vaccine, he said he was “grateful not just for myself but for all those whom I encounter now or hope to encounter in the future, in my ministry as Bishop.” He indicated he received the vaccine “out of love for them”.
The Bishop hoped that all believers would be open to doing the same, so as to remain healthy and in order that they could be “super-spreaders of the Gospel”.
To listen to, or read the full text of Bishop Mark’s Homily select the links below. (The Homily is can be found at 09.15 of the service.)
The Bishop indicated that a nurse had said to him, “It’s not a nice title for you, Father, but of course you’re a super-spreader of the Gospel”, to which the Bishop replied, “I certainly hope so!” Bishop Mark commended the extraordinarily efficient process in the roll out of the vaccine and expressed “gratitude to the many healthcare professionals and volunteers who are making it possible”.
The Bishop drew parallels between our present experience and the scene in the Gospels where Jesus encounters a leper, and stretches out his hand to the leper, to touch and heal him. Bishop Mark commented, “Jesus knows intuitively that His physical health is not threatened in touching this man. In this, is his difference to us. Some people of faith – a very small minority it must be said – have suggested that believers should not worry about catching the virus. They suggest that it will not touch you if you have faith. This attitude is misguided. Apart from suggesting that faith acts like a kind of magic which instantly insulates us from all illness and disease, for us Christians, it is also something of a heresy. It equates us completely with the Lord, puts us on the same level. But we believe there is only one Son of God who became Incarnate. You or I are not Him. He is the Lord, we are not. He is the source of all life, of healing. We are not.”
The Bishop urged people who were doubtful about receiving the vaccine to “reflect seriously on the matter”, for “although it is a personal decision it is not just a private one.” Bishop Mark noted, “What we choose has consequences not just for ourselves, but for all those around us”. In receiving the vaccine, he said he was “grateful not just for myself but for all those whom I encounter now or hope to encounter in the future, in my ministry as Bishop.” He indicated he received the vaccine “out of love for them”.
The Bishop hoped that all believers would be open to doing the same, so as to remain healthy and in order that they could be “super-spreaders of the Gospel”.
To listen to, or read the full text of Bishop Mark’s Homily select the links below. (The Homily is can be found at 09.15 of the service.)
Bishop Mark’s words at Welcome the Stranger Event.
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At an event marking the Day of Prayer for Victims of Modern Slavery, on 8th February, the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita, Bishop Mark gave a reflection on the Parable of the Good Samaritan and Chapter 2 of Pope Francis' Encyclical Fratelli Tutti. |
"I want to echo our thanks to those who helped to bring us together for this event – Stephen Hicks of Caritas Clifton and Deborah Fisher and Canon John Deeny of Caritas Plymouth. It is good, too, to be with my brother bishop, +Declan and with the people of Clifton Diocese. You will know one of the phrases that Pope Francis uses in Fratelli Tutti, Brothers and sisters, all is, 'we are all in the same boat.'"
January 2021
Bishop Mark addresses the Faithful on the new Lockdown –
5th January 2021
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My dear brothers and sisters,
The one piece of 'good news' in the advice issued by the Government, following the Prime Minister's address last night, was that people can still attend public Mass. This present 'lockdown' will, therefore, be different to what we experienced between March and June of last year. It is a blessing that people can still visit Church, and that we are able to continue to celebrate Mass publicly. We know this is not the case in some other places. |
Bishop Mark prays for Polish patient who has died
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In response to the news of the death of RS, a Polish man and patient in Plymouth hospital, Bishop Mark said,
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Mr RS. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, mother, sisters, and niece and with all those who loved and cared for him. Local clergy will continue to offer pastoral support to the family living in Plymouth, as they have done throughout his time in hospital.” The Right Reverend Mark O’Toole, Bishop of Plymouth |
Bishops seek help from the Secretary of Health for gravely ill man
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Bishop Mark, together with Bishop John Sherrington, the Lead Bishop for Life Issues in the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, wrote recently to the Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, concerning a gravely ill man in Plymouth Hospital. A copy of the letter is attached.
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bishops-write-to-the-secretary-of-state-for-health-and-social-care/ www.cbcew.org.uk |
Bishop of Plymouth expresses concern at Court’s judgement
The Bishop of Plymouth, Bishop Mark O’Toole expressed his concern at a Court's judgement to withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration from RS - a Catholic man in a coma at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust after a heart attack in early November.
"My prayers are with the patient, his wife and family, and for all those involved in his care. The decision of the court to allow for the withdrawal of hydration and nutrition is very worrying. That it is deemed to be in the best interests of the patient more so. Providing food and water to very sick patients - even if by artificial means - is a basic level of care. This is care that we must strive to give whenever possible."
"My prayers are with the patient, his wife and family, and for all those involved in his care. The decision of the court to allow for the withdrawal of hydration and nutrition is very worrying. That it is deemed to be in the best interests of the patient more so. Providing food and water to very sick patients - even if by artificial means - is a basic level of care. This is care that we must strive to give whenever possible."
December 2020
Hold on to the Gift of Joy this Home Mission Sunday
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on almost every aspect of our lives – not least the way we worship together and pray as a Catholic community.
Ordinarily we would have celebrated Home Mission Sunday in September but, in 2020, we celebrate the day set aside to promote evangelisation on Gaudete Sunday – 13 December – the Third Sunday of Advent.
There may not be an abundance of joy in our hearts at this time, but Bishop Mark O’Toole tells us that we can still hold on to this fruit of the Holy Spirit through our struggles.
Bishop O’Toole is the Bishop for Mission at the Bishops’ Conference.
Ordinarily we would have celebrated Home Mission Sunday in September but, in 2020, we celebrate the day set aside to promote evangelisation on Gaudete Sunday – 13 December – the Third Sunday of Advent.
There may not be an abundance of joy in our hearts at this time, but Bishop Mark O’Toole tells us that we can still hold on to this fruit of the Holy Spirit through our struggles.
Bishop O’Toole is the Bishop for Mission at the Bishops’ Conference.
November 2020
October 2020
Bishop Mark on Pope Francis’ New Encyclical
Bishop Mark today issued a Pastoral Message inviting all to embrace and to prayerfully reflect on Pope Francis’ new Encyclical, "Fratelli Tutti", in English, "Brothers and Sisters, All"
Click the links below to read Bishop Mark’s full Message and the full text of the Encyclical.
Click the links below to read Bishop Mark’s full Message and the full text of the Encyclical.
Bishop Mark encourages Catholics to have fidelity and courage
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On the 25th October, the Catholic Church marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Canonisation of St Cuthbert Mayne and the thirty-nine other Martyrs, who died for the Catholic faith in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In a Pastoral Message, Bishop Mark encourages those who can, to return to Mass, to be physically present in a church. Recognising that the world is in many ways “shrouded in gloom” at this time because of the “deadly virus”, Bishop Mark asked parishioners who were not vulnerable and not having to shield, “to be present once more at the holy sacrifice of the Mass.” He stressed that they could do so, “safely, whilst observing all the necessary protocols”.
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