Bishop Peter Collins marked the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Sunday July 14, by celebrating Mass in St John the Baptist Cathedral in Norwich in front of a large congregation including friends and parishioners from his former parish in Cardiff.
The St John’s Cathedral choir were joined by the Bradford Catholic Youth Choir and Huddersfield Catholic Youth choir, who were visiting from the Diocese of Leeds and by the choir of St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Costessey for the 40th anniversary celebration.
Following six years at the Royal English College, Valladolid, Spain, Bishop Peter was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Cardiff on July 14, 1984. He served as an Assistant Priest in the Metropolitan Cathedral of St David, Cardiff, from 1984-86 and in Bridgend from 1986-88. He returned to Spain for post-graduate study before taking up his appointment as Vice Rector at the Royal English College, serving there from 1989-94.
Upon his return to the Archdiocese, he was appointed as Parish Priest of Chepstow and Caldicot. In 2001, he became Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cardiff, serving there for the next 18 years. In 2019, he moved to the next-door parishes of St Mary of the Angels, Canton and Holy Family, Fairwater.
Bishop Peter was appointed Bishop of East Anglia on October 11, 2022 and ordained as the fifth Bishop of East Anglia on December 14, 2022 at St John the Baptist Cathedral in Norwich by his predecessor Bishop Alan Hopes.
Paying tribute, Cathedral Dean, Fr Alan Hodgson, said: “I want to say two things. Firstly, congratulations on reaching 40 years of dedicated and honourable service in the ministry. And secondly, thank you for all of those 40 years from the mountains of Wales to the flatlands of East Anglia. We are extremely honoured and privileged to have you as our bishop.”
Bishop Peter said: “On this day, my memories go back 40 years and they are as clear as if it were yesterday. Thank you all for your warm wishes.”
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