THE Diocese of Middlesbrough has a new priest after the ordination of Father Peter Taylor at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Father Peter, 29, from Ingleby Barwick, attended Christ the King Primary and St Patrick’s Comprehensive in Thornaby and St Mary’s Sixth Form College in Middlesbrough before studying at the University of Hull.

He trained for the priesthood at the Royal English College in Valladolid, Spain, and the Venerable English College in Rome.

He was ordained by Bishop of Middlesbrough Terry Drainey at a service attended by clergy and laypeople from throughout the diocese.

“I can remember very little of the ordination itself as you very easily get caught up in everything that is going on,” said Father Peter.

“However, a few moments did strike me, such as processing into the cathedral and seeing so many from across the diocese and beyond who had travelled to be there.

“The second moment that sticks in my mind is the laying on of hands and the kiss of peace of the priests. It is during these moments that you get a sense of the great fraternity among the priests of our diocese and indeed of all priests. It is very much a brotherhood, something I began to appreciate in a whole new way.”