A WIDNES priest has been ordained as the auxiliary bishop of Liverpool.

St Wilfrid's parish priest Canon Thomas Neylon was officially welcomed into the post, as well as that of bishop of Plestia, by the archbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahon during a service at the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Friday, September 3.

Runcorn and Widnes World: ©  Robin Clewley

Born and bred in the Warrington, he was ordained in 1982 and served in the Wigan and Skelmersdale areas before spending 24 years in St Helens and then moving to Widnes in 2020.

Runcorn and Widnes World: ©  Robin Clewley

The ordination of Bishop Neylon was the first major service to be celebrated at the cathedral since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Robin Clewley

It was also the church’s first episcopal ordination since that of Bishop Tom Williams in 2003.

Runcorn and Widnes World: ©  Robin Clewley

He becomes the ninth auxiliary bishop of Liverpool.