Pope Francis has appointed two new auxiliary bishops to serve the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Monsignor Timothy Menezes, Dean of St Chad's Cathedral, and Canon Richard Walker, Vicar General, will serve the Archdiocese of Birmingham as auxiliary bishops, notes the archdiocese's website.

The role of an auxiliary bishop is to assist the diocesan bishop in the functions of the office and the diocese, but the exact nature of the auxiliary bishop's duties can vary and depend on the diocese, its demographics and the responsibilities a bishop assigns him. Dioceses or archdioceses with large populations are more likely to have auxiliary bishops.

The bishops-elect will join Bishop David Evans as auxiliary bishops serving the Archdiocese of Birmingham.