The Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev Michael Campbell, announced this weekend that the historic Church of St Walburge’s, a Grade I listed building and a candidate for closure under his predecessor, will be taken over by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest as a diocesan shrine for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It is hoped that this will take place this autumn. The Institute will offer Mass and the Sacraments in the Extraordinary Form. The bishop has told parishioners that the parish will remain under the overall responsibility of the diocesan parish priest Fr Simon Hawkesworth and that Novus Ordo Mass will still be provided “for as long as there is a pastoral need”.

The bishop’s full statement can be read here.