Christopher Budd (bishop)

Hugh Christopher Budd (27 May 1937 – 1 April 2023) was a British Roman Catholic prelate who served as the 8th Bishop of Plymouth.[1]


Christopher Budd
Bishop Emeritus of Plymouth
ProvinceSouthwark
DiocesePlymouth
Appointed19 November 1985
Installed15 January 1986
Term ended9 November 2013
PredecessorCyril Edward Restieaux
SuccessorMark O'Toole
Orders
Ordination8 July 1962
Consecration15 January 1986
by Cyril Edward Restieaux
Personal details
Born
Hugh Christopher Budd

(1937-05-27)27 May 1937
Romford, Essex, England
Died1 April 2023(2023-04-01) (aged 85)
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
NationalityBritish
DenominationRoman Catholic

Early life and education edit

Born in Romford, Essex (now East London), United Kingdom, to John and Phyllis Mary Budd, he was educated at St Mary's Primary School, Hornchurch and at St Ignatius College, Stamford Hill. Budd studied at Cotton College, a minor seminary, before moving to St Thomas' Seminary, Grove Park, and completing his studies at the Venerable English College in Rome in 1962.[2] Budd was ordained a priest in Rome on 8 July 1962 for service in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood.[3] Budd was studying at the Venerable English College during the sitting of the Second Vatican Council, which would later shape his episcopal ministry.

Priestly ministry edit

After ordination, Budd continued studying to become a Doctor of Theology, and was a tutor in Theology at the Venerable English College until 1971. In 1976, he became a theology lecturer at Newman College, and was appointed rector of St John's Seminary, Wonersh, in 1979.[2]

He remained in this post for six years, before becoming an administrator at Brentwood Cathedral, until he was appointed as Bishop of Plymouth to succeed Bishop Cyril Restiaux by John Paul II.[2]

Episcopal ministry edit

Budd was appointed Bishop of Plymouth on 19 November 1985 and received episcopal ordination on 15 January 1986.[4] He would be the Bishop of Plymouth for 28 years, during which time he was influenced by the Second Vatican Council and its message of ecumenism.

Whilst bishop, Budd served as a member of the Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, as well as Director of the Catholic Agency for Social Concern between 2002 and 2010.[2]

His successor, Mark O'Toole, was appointed on 9 November 2013 by Pope Francis.[5]

Later life and death edit

In retirement Budd split his time between Lyme Regis in Dorset and Scilly Isles.[6]

Budd died from cancer at his home in Lyme Regis, on 1 April 2023, at the age of 85.[7][8][9]

His funeral took place on 5 May 2023, at Sacred Heart Church, Exeter, with Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark presiding. He was buried at Buckfast Abbey on the same day.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Hugh Christopher Budd". Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Miller, Caitlin (19 April 2023). "Obituary: Bishop Christopher Budd". Diocese of Plymouth. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Hugh Christopher Budd". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 20 June 2009.[self-published source]
  4. ^ Larsen, Chris. Catholic Bishops of Great Britain, Sacristy Press, 2016, p. 150ISBN 9781910519257
  5. ^ "Pope Francis appoints new English bishop". Catholic Herald. UK. 9 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Past Bishops".
  7. ^ Grimmett, Simon (1 April 2023). "Bishop Christopher Budd RIP". Diocese of Plymouth. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Former Plymouth bishop Christopher Budd dies aged 85". BBC News. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  9. ^ "The Rt Rev Christopher Budd obituary". The Times. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  10. ^ Miller, Caitlin (18 April 2023). "Bishop Christopher Budd's funeral details". Diocese of Plymouth. Retrieved 20 April 2023.

External links edit

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Plymouth
1986–2013
Succeeded by