Bishop Paul Mason was born on 6th November 1962 in North Shields, North Tyneside. He was educated at St Anselm’s RC High School, North Shields. After completing an undergraduate degree in Modern Languages in Leeds he worked for Hewlett Packard in London before applying to the Diocese of Southwark for priestly training.

 

He undertook studies for the priesthood at the English College in Rome where he completed his Degree in Theology as well as a Licentiate Degree in Philosophy. He also later received an MA from King's College London in Medical Law and Ethics.

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Bishop Paul’s first appointment was as assistant priest in Purley, Surrey before being appointed senior chaplain at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. During this time he was also visiting lecturer at St Mary’s University and King’s College London where he taught medical ethics.

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On leaving hospital ministry Bishop Paul worked for both Southwark and Westminster Dioceses. In the former he was director of ongoing formation of priests while in the latter he was on the formation staff at Allen Hall Seminary.

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In 2014 Archbishop Peter Smith appointed him Episcopal Vicar for Kent, and then in 2016 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of that area.

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On 9th July 2018 Bishop Paul was appointed as the 8th Bishop of the Forces by His Holiness Pope Francis, and was installed at the Roman Catholic Military Cathedral Church of St Michael & St George, Aldershot, on 12th September 2018.