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Biographical Details
Archbishop George Stack was born in Cork, Ireland, on 9th May 1946. He was educated at St Aloysius Secondary School, Highgate, London, and studied for the priesthood at St Edmund’s College, Ware, from 1966 to 1972.
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Westminster on 21st May 1972. Until 1975 he served as assistant priest at Our lady & St Joseph, Hanwell. From 1972 he also served as chaplain to St Bernard’s Hospital, Southall (until 1975) and chaplain to Cardinal Wiseman School, Greenford (until 1976).
From 1974 to 1977 Archbishop George undertook further studies at St Mary’s College, Strawberry Hill, and gained a Bachelor of Education degree. He then became a member of Westminster Religious Education Centre. In 1977 he was appointed assistant priest at St Paul the Apostle, Wood Green, and in 1983, parish priest at Our Lady Help of Christians, Kentish Town. In 1990, he was appointed Vicar General for Clergy in the Westminster Diocese. He became Administrator of Westminster Cathedral in 1993.
On 12th April 2001 he was ordained an Auxiliary Archbishop for the Diocese of Westminster. He was Chairman of the Diocesan Department for Education and Formation and had pastoral responsibility for the Deaneries in Hertfordshire.
In addition to his Diocesan responsibilities the Archbishop served as Chair of Governors at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham; a Governor at Heythrop College in the University of London and as member of the board of St John & St Elizabeth’s Hospital, London.
Appointment to Cardiff
On 19th April 2011 Pope Benedict XVI officially named Bishop George Stack as the Seventh Archbishop of Cardiff in succession to Archbishop Peter Smith.
Upon hearing of his appointment, Archbishop George said:
“I am humbled and honoured at the trust Pope Benedict XVI has placed in appointing me Archbishop of Cardiff … I look forward to serving the people and clergy of the church in Cardiff with love and faithfulness in the years that lie ahead”.
Installation as Seventh Archbishop of Cardiff
Archbishop George Stack was installed as the Seventh Archbishop of Cardiff at St. Davids Cathedral Cardiff on the 20th June 2011, the feast of Ss. Alban, Aaron & Jullian. The event had a large attendance of Bishops from England and Wales, as well as clergy from the Archdiocese of Westminster, people and clergy of the Archdiocese of Cardiff and representatives of other Christian denominations and faiths within Wales.
Those who attended the event each received a card depicting the new mosaic of St David, patron of Wales, installed at Westminster Cathedral where the Archbishop previously served as Administrator.
As is customary during the installation of a bishop, the Papal Bull announcing his appointment by the Holy See is read to the people for acceptance.
Homily of the Installation as Read by Archbishop George Stack
Receiving the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI
Just nine days after his installation as the new Archbishop, Archbishop George travelled to Rome to receive the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on the Feat of Ss Peter and Paul, 29th June 2011. The pallium is a simple white garment made of lambswool from lambs blessed by the Holy Father on the Feast of St Agnes each year. The pallium also has a number of black crosses and is worn over the chasuble by a Metropolitan Archbishop within his Province. The pallium as worn by the Holy Father symbolises the ‘plenitude of pontifical office’. The pallium as worn by Metropolitan Archbishops signifies a sharing in that office for the oversight of a group of dioceses known as a ‘Province’. Until a Metropolitan Archbishop receives the pallium he cannot exercise his authority as Metropolitan of a Province. The video below shows Archbishop George receiving his pallium from Pope Benedict XVI.
The Homily given by the Pope Benedict XVI at the investiture can be read Pallium Homily.
The Pallium was received by the Archdiocese of Cardiff at Solemn of evening prayers at St. Davids Cathedral on Sunday 3rd July 2011. Solemn Evening Prayer Introduction
Other Roles
In addition to being Archbishop of Cardiff, Archbishop George currently serves as the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales representative on ICEL (International Commission on English in the Liturgy). He is also a Knight Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Knight of the Constantinian Order of St George.
Succession
Archbishop George submitted his resignation as Archbishop of Cardiff having reached the canonical age (75) in May 2021. Pope Francis accepted the resignation ‘Nunc pro tunc’ (Now for then) pending succession by the 8th Archbishop of Cardiff.
On Wednesday 27th April 2022 Pope Francis named Bishop Mark O’Toole of Plymouth as the next Archbishop of Cardiff AND Bishop of Menevia ‘in persona Episcopi’. Archbishop-elect Mark will take possession of the diocese on Monday 20th June 2022.
