Mervyn Alexander
Encyclopedia
The Right Reverend Meryvn Alban Alexander (29 June 1925 — 14 August 2010 ) was the 8th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton
(from 1974 to 2001).
He was born on 29 June 1925 in Highbury, London, the eldest son of William and Grace Alexander. In 1926 the family moved from London to Salisbury, Wiltshire.
, Bath, then run by the Irish Christian Brothers. He trained for the priesthood at the Venerable English College, Rome and was ordained Priest on 18 July 1948 in the Leonine College, Rome. He continued his theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University
, Rome, and obtained his Doctorate in Divinity in 1951.
Returning to England he was appointed curate in the Pro-Cathedral parish where he served from 1951 to 1964. He acted as Chaplain to the Bristol Maternity and Homeopathic Hospitals. He also became part time Chaplain to the University of Bristol
in 1953 and was appointed full-time Chaplain in 1964. During this time he opened the University Catholic Chaplaincy which continues to serve students today.
In 1967 he was appointed as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Weston-Super-Mare, until he became an Auxiliary Bishop on 25 April 1972, and, on 20 December 1974, he was ordained as the 8th Bishop of Clifton.
In 1982 he was Chairman of the committee concerned with spiritual preparation for the visit of Pope John Paul II
to England and Wales. He was Chairman of the Committee for Art and Architecture from 1983 until 1999, as well as Episcopal Adviser to Marriage Encounter from 1980. He presided at a Diocesan Synod which took place from 1987 to 1988.
From the early 1990's until 1999, Bishop Alexander was the Patron of the Catholic Association Pilgrimage
Hospitalité.
During 1996, Alexander organised a panel to review the Neocatechumenal Way
and later
banned the organisation within the Clifton Diocese.
In February 2001 Bishop Alexander was recognised by the University of Bristol
for his contribution to the life of the City and the University and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD). The commendation speech was given by the then Bishop of Bristol, Right Reverend Barry Rogerson
.
. Bishop Mervyn died on 14 August 2010 at St Angela's Home, Clifton.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton is a Latin Rite Roman Catholic diocese centred around the Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Clifton....
(from 1974 to 2001).
He was born on 29 June 1925 in Highbury, London, the eldest son of William and Grace Alexander. In 1926 the family moved from London to Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Education/Priesthood
He began his education at Bishop Wordsworth Grammar School in Salisbury. He later attended Prior Park CollegePrior Park College
Prior Park College is a Roman Catholic co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils.It is situated on a hill overlooking the city of Bath, in Somerset, in south-west England...
, Bath, then run by the Irish Christian Brothers. He trained for the priesthood at the Venerable English College, Rome and was ordained Priest on 18 July 1948 in the Leonine College, Rome. He continued his theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
, Rome, and obtained his Doctorate in Divinity in 1951.
Returning to England he was appointed curate in the Pro-Cathedral parish where he served from 1951 to 1964. He acted as Chaplain to the Bristol Maternity and Homeopathic Hospitals. He also became part time Chaplain to the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
in 1953 and was appointed full-time Chaplain in 1964. During this time he opened the University Catholic Chaplaincy which continues to serve students today.
In 1967 he was appointed as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Weston-Super-Mare, until he became an Auxiliary Bishop on 25 April 1972, and, on 20 December 1974, he was ordained as the 8th Bishop of Clifton.
Posts
In addition to his work in the diocese he held a number of national posts. He was a member of the Vatican Secretariat for Non-Believers (1973 to 1983), and Chairman of the National Commission for Non-Believers (1973 to 1983), Vice-Chairman of the Liturgy Commission (1977 to 1983), and also Episcopal President of the Catholic Child Welfare Council (1976 to 1983).In 1982 he was Chairman of the committee concerned with spiritual preparation for the visit of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
to England and Wales. He was Chairman of the Committee for Art and Architecture from 1983 until 1999, as well as Episcopal Adviser to Marriage Encounter from 1980. He presided at a Diocesan Synod which took place from 1987 to 1988.
From the early 1990's until 1999, Bishop Alexander was the Patron of the Catholic Association Pilgrimage
Catholic Association Pilgrimage
The Catholic Association of the UK, abbreviated to the CA, has been around in one form or another since 1881 and ran its first pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1901...
Hospitalité.
During 1996, Alexander organised a panel to review the Neocatechumenal Way
Neocatechumenal Way
The Neocatechumenal Way, also known as the Neocatechumenate, NC Way or, colloquially, The Way or The Neocats is an itinerary within the Catholic Church dedicated to the Christian formation of adults...
and later
banned the organisation within the Clifton Diocese.
In February 2001 Bishop Alexander was recognised by the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
for his contribution to the life of the City and the University and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD). The commendation speech was given by the then Bishop of Bristol, Right Reverend Barry Rogerson
Barry Rogerson
Barry Rogerson was the first Bishop of Wolverhampton from 1979 to 1985 and from then until his retirement, Bishop of Bristol....
.
Retirement
He was succeeded as Bishop of Clifton by Bishop Declan Lang on 28 March 2001. On retiring as Bishop of Clifton he served as Parish Priest of St Joseph's, Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...
. Bishop Mervyn died on 14 August 2010 at St Angela's Home, Clifton.