Pope Francis has conferred the title of “monsignor” upon Michael Nazir Ali, the former Anglican Bishop of Rochester who was ordained a Catholic priest last year.
The Holy Father made Rev. Dr Nazir Ali a Prelate of Honour to His Holiness in keeping with the tradition of elevating high-profile Anglicans who join the Catholic Church.
Mgr Nazir Ali was received into the full communion of the Catholic Church on September 29, the Feast of St Michael and All Angels.
He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood for the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham at Our Lady of the Assumption in Warwick Street, London, on October 30 by Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster.
