Right Reverend Thomas Wulstan Pearson, OSB

Born: Preston, 4 January 1870
Ordained Priest: by Bishop Brownlow of Clifton, 26th September 1897
Nominated First Bishop of Lancaster 18th December 1924 and consecrated two months later by Archbishop Keating
Died: 1 December 1938 at St Joseph's Hospital, Mount Street, Preston

Bishop Pearson's early education was at the Benedictine College at Douai in Northern France and then in 1887 he went to Downside. He decided to join the Benedictines, receiving the habit at Belmont, then the English Congregation's noviciate. In 1893 he returned to Downside on the teaching staff. His solemn profession took place in March 1894.

In 1912 he became assistant priest at St. Mary's, Highfield Street, Liverpool, where he had his own district and visited every family there once a week, as well as visiting the Northern Hospital daily.

In September 1916 he was appointed Prior of Ealing, where both priory and school progressed under his guidance. On appointment as bishop he began establishing churches and mass centres in the outlying parts of his diocese. 'It is useless sitting down and expecting people to come to the priest. It is the priest who must go to the people." In his time the Catholic population increased from 88,500 to 98,000 and by his death there were 185 priests. He was suspicious of the Education Act of 1926, having spent years in teaching and as a Benedictine. He obeyed the law, but ensured that his misgivings were known.

He was a keen supporter of pilgrimages, not only to Lourdes, but also within his own diocese.

His first love was to the Benedictines and, while he left the monastery in obedience to the call of the Holy See, he observed the rule as much as he could and when he went to Downside he took on the role of a monk. When he was asked whether he was not lonely at house on Cannon Hill, he asked how he could possibly be lonely with the Blessed Sacrament in his house.

His last public engagement was to open Sacred Heart Church in Ashton (Preston).

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