Guardians Elect New Master

The College of Guardians has announced that the next Master of the Guardians is to be Fr Philip Barnes. Fr Philip currently serves as Vicar of St Stephen’s Gloucester Road and is a prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral. He has been a Guardian since 2016 and has served the Shrine as Shrine Priest and interim Priest Administrator.

As Master he will chair meetings of the College of Guardians and the will also chair the Directors of WCTA Ltd who are the trustees of the Charity that has oversight of the Shrine.

Fr Philip said, ‘It is a huge privilege to have been called to serve as Master of the college of Guardians, and I’m hugely grateful to my colleagues for the confidence and trust that they’ve placed in me.

‘In this Easter season we’re reminded that as the pilgrim Church Alleluia is our song, and I look forward to playing my part in animating that song in the place that I love so dearly. It is a particular honour to be succeeding Bishop Philip who has served as Master with such wisdom, grace and visionary energy, and to be stepping into this role at a time of change for the Shrine.

‘Please continue to pray for the Guardians as together we use our gifts to support the Shrine in its joyful witness to the fullness of life that we find in Mary’s child.’

Fr Philip will be installed as Master at Guardians’ Chapter in October and will commence his new duties then. At the same chapter Fr Ben Eadon, the newly appointed Priest Administrator, will be installed as a Guardian.