New Shrine Priest
The Shrine is pleased to announce that Fr Edward Gunn has been appointed as Shrine Priest in succession to Fr Ben Bradshaw (subject to House of Bishops requirements).
Fr Edward is currently serving as Assistant Curate at S. Helen’s, West Auckland in the Diocese of Durham. He is married to Emma and together with their daughter they will be moving to Walsingham in the New Year.
Fr Kevin writes: “I am delighted that Fr Edward has accepted the invitation to serve as Shrine Priest. He will bring many gifts and a breadth of experience to the role and I am very much looking forward to working with him in the Shrine’s ministry to pilgrims and visitors”.
Fr Edward comments: “I am delighted to have been appointed by Fr Kevin to the post of Shrine Priest. From an early age the Shrine has been important to me, along with the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham guiding me at pivotal points of my journey. As a family we have always seen the Shrine as home. I look forward to welcoming pilgrims and visitors to this special place and sharing in the mission and ministry of the Shrine”.
Fr Edward trained as a teacher at Durham University and went on to work in various schools in the North East. He tested his vocation with the Society of St Francis before returning to teaching and serving at Christ the King, Bowburn as a Lay Pastoral Assistant. Preparing for ordination, Fr Edward graduated in Theology, Mission and Ministry at the Lindisfarne College of Theology. As Assistant Curate at S. Helen’s, West Auckland he has relished working in a busy parish and particularly with children and young people. He recently brought a group of young pilgrims from S. Helen’s to the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage.
Fr Edward enjoys walking and photography and he and his family are looking forward to exploring the Norfolk countryside with their dog Pepper.