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Pope Leo XIV appointed Fr Stephen Wang as the new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton on Thursday 2 July 2026. Bishop-elect Stephen will be installed as the sixth Bishop of our Diocese at Arundel Cathedral on Monday 19 October.

In the second of three reflections, our Formation & Spirituality Adviser Deacon Jon Harman explores the significance of a bishop’s mitre, crozier, ring, and pectoral cross. “Each of these symbols” he writes, “offers a tangible sign of something deeper, helping us to understand more about the person who bears them and, above all, the ministry to which they have been called.

“The crozier, or pastoral staff, is perhaps the most recognisable of these symbols. Its shape recalls a shepherd’s staff and connects with the image of the bishop as shepherd of the Diocese. It reminds us that his ministry is one of guiding, accompanying and serving the people entrusted to his care.

“The ring worn by the bishop speaks of his relationship with the Church he is called to serve. Like a wedding ring, which represents a lasting commitment, the ring points to his bond with the Diocese and his responsibility to serve its people faithfully.

“The pectoral cross, worn close to a Bishop’s heart, is a reminder that his ministry belongs to Christ. Whatever the responsibilities and public aspects of his role, at the centre of his ministry is the Gospel and the Cross of Jesus.

“The mitre (tall, peaked hat), is worn during the liturgy and is part of the Church’s liturgical tradition. It points to the bishop’s ministry within the worshipping community. And what about the cathedra? The bishop’s chair is a tangible sign of his teaching ministry and his role in the life of the Diocese entrusted to him.

“There are other signs, too. Our new Bishop will have a coat of arms and a motto, which will express something of his identity as a Bishop and the spiritual theme he wishes to place at the heart of his ministry.

"Taken together, these vestments tell a story. They remind us that a Bishop is called to be a shepherd, a teacher and a servant of God’s people. They point beyond the person who wears or carries them to the ministry he has received and the Church he serves."

Next week, we will explore what happens when Fr Stephen is ordained as our diocesan Bishop on 19 October.

Space within Arundel Cathedral is limited with the Mass of Episcopal Ordination by invitation only. People across our parishes and schools are warmly encouraged to join the celebration online by watching the Cathedral’s livestream.

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