Everyone at St John Bosco College Battersea was immensely proud this weekend, when Paul Spellman, formerly Head of Religious Education, was one of five men ordained priest on Saturday July 6 in St John's Cathedral, Norwich. In its 43 year history, the Diocese of East Anglia has never ordained so many on the same day.

The Mass of Ordination was attended by a congregation of over 1400, with many standing to witness the historic occasion. Fr Paul has been appointed Assistant Priest at Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Cambridge.

Following his ordination, Fr Paul said: "My time at the Pontifical Beda College has been one of immense personal growth. One that has required me to listen more closely, like Elijah was asked to do, to the whisper of God's voice and to bend my ear to hear what it is God is asking of me.

"Living in community has helped me to see the richness and value that it offers both to the individual as well as the group as a whole. My experience on pastoral placement in Palestine last summer further challenged that sense of community, especially in light of the daily experience the Palestinian people I was with have" he said.

Congratulations to Fr Paul, and all of the new priests of East Anglia.

Read more on the Diocese of East Anglia website

Photos: Keith Morris/www.rcdea.org.uk