William Lee

William Lee, Sixth Bishop of Clifton, 1931 to 1948

The future Bishop was born at Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland on 27 September 1875. He was educated at St Colman's College, Fermoy; St John's College, Waterford and Oscott College in England. He was ordained at Oscott on 2 March 1901. His first appointment in the diocese was as curate at Holy Cross Church, then in Victoria Street, Bristol where he served until 1903. He was appointed Bishop's Secretary and Diocesan Treasurer in that year remaining in the post until 1910, when he was appointed Administrator of the Pro-Cathedral. In 1920, he was awarded the MBE for his welfare work among the Belgian refugees who had come to the country during the war years.

Between the wars, the future of the Catholic schools was much to the fore. As a co-opted member of the Education Committee the future Bishop was familiar with the debates which raged over the question of grants for new Catholic schools. So it was that when the new Bishop was consecrated at the pro-Cathedral on 26 January 1932, he already knew only too well of the difficulties which lay ahead for the Diocesan Schools Committee.

The outbreak of war in 1939 added to his problems. There were many Catholic children among the evacuees to the West Country in whose welfare the Bishop took a practical interest. The onset of the air raids from 1940 to 1942 and the consequent damage to Catholic churches and schools created a host of new problems. It was not surprising that the Bishop's health deteriorated under the strain. Nevertheless, he persevered in the great desire of his priesthood, to bring the Mass to the people. In spite of all the difficulties, 72 new missions and Mass centres were established in the diocese during his years as Bishop. In addition, he did much to improve the interior appearance of the Pro-Cathedral, including the installation of many of the stained-glass windows. Bishop Lee died suddenly on 21 September 1948.