Bishop Paul Swarbrick

Bishop Paul Swarbrick, 59, from Garstang has been a priest of the Lancaster Diocese for over 35 years. Born on 2 July 1958 to George Vincent Swarbrick and Alice Swarbrick (Horn), Canon Paul Swarbrick has three sisters and one brother. He went to primary school in Garstang and then on to Lancaster Royal Grammar school before training for the Priesthood at Ushaw College, Co Durham. Ordained priest on 10 July 1982 at Ss Mary & Michael’s church, Garstang, he would go on to serve as Assistant Priest at St. Mary, Kells, Whitehaven (1982-1983), St Maria Goretti, Preston (1983-1984), St Cuthbert, Blackpool (1984-1990) where he was also Chaplain to St Mary’s Catholic High School, Blackpool before volunteering to serve on the missions in Monze Diocese, Zambia (1990-2005). Upon his return from Zambia he assisted at English Martyrs, Preston (2005-2006) and for a few months at Mater Amabilis, Ambleside until he was appointed Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart, Preston whilst also in charge of St Walburge, Preston (2007-2010). In 2010 he was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady & St Michael, Workington – now the enlarged parish of Christ the Good Shepherd, Workington-Harrington where he was the Parish Priest – he was also the local Dean (Vicar Forane) for West Cumbria. In 2015 he was made a Canon of Lancaster Cathedral Chapter. He became the seventh Bishop of Lancaster on Monday 9th April 2018.