- Michael Charles Evans
-
For other people named Michael Evans, see Michael Evans (disambiguation).
The Right Reverend
Michael EvansBishop of East Anglia Province Westminster Diocese East Anglia Appointed 14 February 2003 Enthroned 19 March 2003 Reign ended 11 July 2011 Predecessor Peter Smith Orders Ordination 22 June 1975 Consecration 19 March 2003
by Cormac Murphy-O’ConnorPersonal details Birth name Michael Charles Evans Born 10 August 1951
Southwark, London, EnglandDied 11 July 2011 (aged 59) Nationality English Denomination Roman Catholic Previous post Parish Priest until 2003, St. Augustine's, Tunbridge Wells Alma mater St. John's Seminary (Wonersh) Michael Charles Evans (10 August 1951 – 11 July 2011), was the third Roman Catholic Bishop of East Anglia, in the Ecclesiastical Province of Westminster.
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Biography
Ordained as a Priest at Southwark on 22 June 1975, Michael Evans spent some time as an assistant priest, then studied for a Master of Theology degree at the University of London for four years (1975 to 1979) subsequently returning to St. John's Seminary,[1] Wonersh, near Guildford for eight years as lecturer in Doctrine. During his time within the Roman Catholic Church, he held many posts, ranging from the chaplain of a convent school to chairman of the Archdiocese of Southwark's Justice and Peace Coordinating Committee. From 1995 until 2003, he served as Parish Priest at St. Augustine's church in Tunbridge Wells.
On 14 February 2003 Pope John Paul II appointed Canon Evans as the third Bishop of East Anglia. He succeeded the Most Reverend Peter Smith, who is now Archbishop of Southwark. Canon Michael was ordained as the third Bishop of East Anglia at the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist, Norwich on 19 March 2003.
On his appointment as the new bishop, Evans said: 'I was astonished to be appointed as Bishop of East Anglia, and have a real sense of my unworthiness for this responsibility, but I accepted this new ministry with a joyful though nervous 'yes'. I look forward to getting to know the diocesan family of East Anglia, and to working with my brother priests and deacons as a team dedicated to the ministry of Christ. As I prepare for my ordination, I ask everyone to keep me in their prayers.'[2]
Illness
In November 2006 Bishop Michael announced through the Diocesan office in Norwich that he was suffering from prostate cancer and undergoing radiotherapy to treat the condition.[3]
He said he has been helped through the illness by the radiotherapy team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, support from the community and his faith in God.[3]
"I am in the recovery period at the moment", the bishop said. "I have finished the radiotherapy sessions but I have no idea what the long term effects are. I will not find that out until at least next month when I have more tests ... I am much more tired than I was when I was having treatment and have had to rest a great deal. This is meant to be the worst time for side-effects and I am really feeling it ... It has been a real battle but I have had a lot of support from everyone and at no time did I even consider giving up. It is one of those things that you have to just keep fighting."[3]
Progression of cancer
On Sunday, 2 January 2011, Bishop Michael issued a statement through all the Catholic churches in the East Anglia Diocese. The following is an excerpt from this statement:
"In the last few weeks, the cancer has rather quickly taken control. My oncology and palliative care consultants informed me openly and honestly just before Christmas that I now probably have only weeks to live, and I am prepared for that as I can be, accepting it with faith as a gift of God's grace ... Rather than resign, I would like to continue among you as your bishop and the father of our diocesan family until this stage of my life ends. I do not know how long that will be. I am most grateful for the ways you have cared for and so prayerfully supported me in recent years. You remain very much in my thoughts and care. As I am sure you understand, I am able to do very little, and will need to rely on others. Please can I ask you to limit any expressions of care to prayer for now, rather than anything else to which I cannot respond."[4]
The statement was issued to all Catholics in the East Anglia Diocese and received by all those who attended masses across the whole of the Eastern Region of England. Bishop Michael concluded the statement as follows:
"As I live now under the shadow of death, my prayer is very much that of St. Paul that I may know something of the power of Christ's resurrection and a share in his sufferings, trusting that the Lord is with me. I pray that even now, I can joyfully witness something of the good news we are all called to proclaim."[5]
Death
Bishop Evans died in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at 7.10pm on 11 July 2011, aged 59, of prostate cancer.[6]
References
- ^ St. John's Seminary, Wonersh. Retrieved on 12 July 2011.
- ^ Bishop Michael Evans. RC Diocese of East Anglia. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ a b c "Norwich bishop speaks of cancer battle". Norwich Evening News, reprinted in network::Norwich, The Christian Community website for Norwich. Archived from the original on 2007-04-17. http://www.networknorwich.co.uk/Publisher/Article.aspx?id=54711. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
- ^ Things Have Speeded Up Again. RC Diocese of East Anglia. Dated 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Statement to the Diocese from Bishop Michael" (Press release). Catholic Diocese of East Anglia. 2 January 2011. http://www.catholiceastanglia.org/bishop/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=3&MMN_position=78:78. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
- ^ "Bishop of East Anglia Michael Evans dies after cancer battle". BBC News. 2011-07-12. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14118153. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
External links
Listen to this article (info/dl)
This audio file was created from a revision of Michael Charles Evans dated 2011-07-12, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help)More spoken articlesCatholic Archbishops and Bishops in England and Wales Province of Westminster Thomas McMahon (Brentwood) · Vacant post (East Anglia) · Peter Doyle (Northampton) · Malcolm McMahon (Nottingham) · Vincent Nichols (Westminster)Province of Birmingham Province of Liverpool John Rawsthorne (Hallam) · Michael Campbell (Lancaster) · Arthur Roche (Leeds) · Patrick Kelly (Liverpool) · Terence Patrick Drainey (Middlesbrough) · Séamus Cunningham (Hexham and Newcastle) · Terence Brain (Salford)Province of Southwark Province of Cardiff Military Ordinariate Charles Phillip Richard Moth (Bishopric of the Forces)Apostolic Exarchate Apostolic Nuncio Antonio MenniniCategories:- 1951 births
- 2011 deaths
- People from Southwark
- Post-Reformation Roman Catholic bishops in England
- 21st-century Roman Catholic bishops
- Alumni of the University of London
- Deaths from prostate cancer
- Cancer deaths in England
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