THE next Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons is to be the Revd Mark Birch, Downing Street announced on Thursday morning.
Fr Birch has also been appointed Canon Rector of Westminster Abbey, with a particular task of promoting ministry in the public square.
Since 2015, he has been a Minor Canon at the Abbey. After training for the priesthood at Westcott House, Cambridge, was ordained to a title at St John the Baptist, Cirencester, in 2000.
Much of his early ministry was spent in chaplaincy posts: at Exeter College, Oxford, where he was also a Fellow, and at the children’s hospice Helen and Douglas House, in Oxford (Features, 5 January 2007); and at Treloar’s School and College, Alton, in Hampshire, which provides education and care for young people with physical disabilities.
From 2012 to 2014, he was Priest-in-Charge of St Faith’s, Winchester, and Chaplain of St Cross Hospital, before taking up his current post at Westminster Abbey.
In March 2023, Fr Birch was appointed a member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) for his part in organising the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. He also assisted in preparing for the Coronation.
The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said of Fr Birch’s appointment that “it would be hard to find a kinder, more empathetic person.
“I am certain that his experience, warmth, and wise counsel will offer a spiritual lift to MPs and staff, who work so hard in the service of our national life.”
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, said that Fr Birch would be “an outstanding pastor to those who have made the often costly commitment to public service.
“He will also be an effective and engaging presence as the Abbey continues to make the case for the place of faith at the heart of the nation. He will not shy away from difficulty and he will give voice to our hope.”
In May, it was announced that the previous Speaker’s Chaplain, the Ven. Patricia Hillas, was to be the next Bishop of Sodor & Man (News, 16 May). She will be consecrated with the new Bishops of Selby and Whitby in York Minster on 10 October, and enthroned in Peel Cathedral on 16 November.
Fr Birch is due to take up his new appointment in November.