Bishop Tom Williams is to receive the Freedom of Liverpool

The Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool is to receive the city’s highest civic honour at a special ceremony on Thursday 30 September 2021.

The Right Reverend Tom Williams, who has served in the city for almost half a century, is set to receive Freedom of the City of Liverpool at the Town Hall.

He was born off Scotland Road and was ordained priest in the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral in 1972, and served at St Francis of Assisi in Garston, Sacred Heart on Hall Lane, Our Lady of Walsingham parish in Netherton, Our Lady Immaculate Parish in St Domingo Road and St Anthony’s on Scotland Road.

His roles across the years range from early chaplaincy of Bellerive Grammar School through to governor and chair of governors in various archdiocesan primary and secondary schools.

During nine years bridging the late 70s and early 80s, meanwhile, he was chaplain at both the ‘old’ Liverpool Royal Infirmary and the ‘new’ Royal Liverpool Hospital.

In 1997 he became chair of Project Jennifer, the scheme set up by parishioners and others in the Scotland Road area to work with the city council and businesses to regenerate the city’s north end by delivering a new district centre.

He also worked with Matalan founder John Hargreaves to establish the NSPCC Liverpool Service Centre on the site of the former Great Homer Street market.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Mary Rasmussen, said:

“Bishop Tom Williams has dedicated his life to serving his parishioners and the wider community in and around Scotland Road and the Freedom honour is truly deserved.

“He has been a guiding light, a listening ear and a community leader, speaking up for the area and actively helping make a difference to the lives of local people.

“I am delighted to be able to bestow Freedom of the City on him as he embodies everything that the honour represents.” 

Bishop Tom Williams said:

“I am very surprised and humbled at this great honour.

“Five generations of my family have been part of this city and it has been a privilege to serve here for 49 years.

“This is truly home to me and I will always be grateful for the support which I have received.”