Sunday afternoon, during Choral Evening Prayer for the Solemnity of Christ the King, three members of the Archdiocese of Liverpool were presented with the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great.

Members of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter joined other members of the Cathedral community as Archbishop Sherrington, on behalf of the Holy Father, conferred the awards in recognition of the recipients’ longstanding service to the Church and wider community.

The honours were given to Claire Reilly (née Hanlon), HH Michael Byrne, and Michael Sharkey. Each has supported the Church and wider society in distinct ways.

Claire, a member of the Metropolitan Cathedral community for more than thirty years, has consistently contributed to the Cathedral’s daily life with dedication, professionalism and generosity, as well as building links with the City of Liverpool and other charitable organisations.

His Honour Michael Byrne has been closely involved in the charitable and pastoral work of the archdiocese over many years as a layman and professionally as a legal practitioner and judge, linking it with the work of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the first Church, and his work as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in England and Wales, serving until recently as Lieutenant. He has also served on the International Coordination of Bishops to the Holy Land as an adviser and member of the Coordination.

Michael Sharkey, CEO of Greenmount Projects in Wigan, has supported numerous parish and community projects across the archdiocese, especially in Wigan, giving his time, expertise and encouragement to work that benefits many in the local community. He is one of the key figures of the #Liverpool4Ukraine aid project and is preparing for another vital trip to Sambir-Drohobych eparchy, our sister diocese in Northwest Ukraine.

A papal knighthood is conferred on laypeople whose service reflects commitment, generosity, and practical support of the Church’s mission. Sunday’s celebration recognised the individual and shared contributions of all three recipients in the context of the Church of Liverpool and how all apostolates and ministry are orientated towards the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ to the world of the day. The example of each of the new members of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great underlines the need to seek, find and serve Jesus Christ in the poor, the lonely and the unloved and those on the margins.

We offer our warmest congratulations to Claire Reilly DSG, HH Michael Byrne KSG, and Michael Sharkey KSG, and express our sincere thanks for their ongoing service to the Church and the wider community.

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