In a recent announcement, Pope Francis has appointed Bishop John Sherrington as the new Archbishop of Liverpool, marking a significant change in the leadership of the English archdiocese.
Sherrington to Replace Archbishop McMahon
Bishop Sherrington steps into the role, taking over from Archbishop Malcolm Patrick McMahon, O.P., who has held the position since 2014.
McMahon submitted his resignation as required by the Vatican after serving the archdiocese for nearly a decade.
Appointment and Installation Details
The Holy See Press Office made the announcement on Saturday, April 5, confirming Sherrington’s new role.
Sherrington, who has been serving as an auxiliary bishop of Westminster since 2011, will be officially installed as the tenth Archbishop of Liverpool on May 27, during a ceremony at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
Sherrington’s Gratitude and Humility
In a statement following the appointment, Archbishop-elect Sherrington expressed his sincere gratitude for the trust Pope Francis placed in him.
He shared his humility and joy about the new role and offered prayers for the Holy Father, especially as Pope Francis recuperates and prepares for Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
A Look at Sherrington’s Background
Born in Leicester in 1958, Sherrington brings a wealth of experience to his new position.
Before his ordination as a priest in 1987, he earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Queen’s College, Cambridge, and worked briefly in management consultancy.
He later studied moral theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Sherrington has held various roles within the church, including serving as a professor of moral theology at All Hallows College in Dublin and St. John’s Seminary in Wonersh.
He has also been involved in parish ministry in Nottingham and Derby, and since 2014, he has been a member of the Department for Social Justice in the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, focusing on life issues.
With his extensive background and deep commitment to the Church, Archbishop-elect Sherrington is poised to lead the Archdiocese of Liverpool into a new chapter.
