Happy birthday to Arundel and Brighton

This day in 1965, Arundel and Brighton was erected as a Diocese and Southwark was elevated to a Metropolitan See.

Congratulations to all my friends in Arundel and Brighton. Perhaps a glass of Prosecco might be allowed as that seems to be the celebratory drink of choice in many Catholic circles nowadays. A&B used to be known as the "gin & jag" diocese but a priest friend of mine suggested some years ago that it should be updated to "real ale & Range Rover." What would it be today?

When the diocese was formed, the rule was that priests became part of A&B if they were stationed in the territory on the day the diocese came into being. I remember older priests telling me of manoeuvres to get into one or other diocese before the guillotine came down.

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