Larne man holds Mass for Whitehaven victims

Rt Rev Michael Campbell, who is originally from Larne, is the Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Lancaster - which covers the county of Cumbria.

He told the Larne Times he was “deeply saddened” by the events in Whitehaven last Wednesday, when local resident Derrick Bird unleashed a wave of terror in the normally quiet community.

Bird’s killing spree came without warning, leaving a dozen people dead and 11 more injured before he finally turned the gun on himself.

Bishop Campbell, who lives about one hour and 45 minutes away from Whitehaven in Morecambe Bay, travelled to the coastal Cumbrian town on Monday to say Mass at St Begh’s Priory.

He added: “About 500 people turned up, including the mayor of Whitehaven, and it was a very moving occasion. Whitehaven is a very tight-knit community and it has been deeply affected by the shocking events that took place last week.

“I have been in touch with the local parishes to express my sympathy for what has happened. This is the third tragedy that Cumbria has had to deal with in a matter of months. First there was the severe flooding late last year, then a coach crash which killed three people, and now this.

“The cruel nature of the last week’s deed, which destroyed so many innocent lives and brought injury and heartache to countless others, leaves us numb and confused and my thoughts are with the community at this time.”

Bishop Campbell was born in Larne in October 1941. He comes from a family of six - three brothers and two sisters - and though he has not lived in the town for over 40 years, he still considers it to be his home.

After attending Campion House in Osterley, he entered the Augustinian Order at Clare Priory in August 1962.

On completion of his novitiate, Bishop Campbell studied philosophy in Dublin for two years, and subsequently obtained BA in Semitic languages. He completed his studies for the priesthood at the Gregorian University, Rome, 1968-1972.

In what was an historic event, Bishop Campbell was the first Augustinian Friar to be ordained as Diocesan Bishop in England since the Reformation of the 16th century and the first bishop to be ordained in St Peter’s Cathedral for 46 years. He is now the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Lancaster and busy with the pastoral care of the diocese.