This evening at Vespers at the Oxford Oratory Bishop Byrne was back in his full plumage as a bishop following his episcopal ordination last Tuesday. Clad in his Roman purple choir habit and rochet he sat in choir for the Office, and then presided in cope and mitre and with his crosier, given to him by the parish, at Benediction. This cannot have been seen in an Oratorian community since the time of Bishop Bagshawe of Nottingham (1874-1902; d.1915). Earlier in the day he had celebrated Solemn Mass for congregation at the Oratory in formation at St Chad's in Manchester.
Talking to some of the congregation afterwards the new Bishop was clearly happy to be in his old home and with old friends but also relaxed in beginning his new ministry.
Although he will be missed from the Oratory in Oxford we hope that he will be back when he can, and certainly for St Philip's Day later on this month.
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