The Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool is set to receive the city's highest civic honour following decades of service in various roles.
The Right Reverend Tom Williams will be granted the Freedom of the City of Liverpool title - an honour given to individuals for exceptional service - at a special town hall ceremony on 30th September.
Bishop Tom Williams was ordained as a Catholic priest in the city's Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in 1972 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop, an assistant to the diocesan bishop, of the diocese of Liverpool in 2003.
During his 49 years of service he has acted as a governor and chair of governors in various archdiocesan primary and secondary schools and been chaplain for the Royal Liverpool Hospital. He chaired Project Jennifer - a scheme to regenerate the city's north end by delivering a new district centre and worked with Matalan founder John Hargreaves to establish the NSPCC Liverpool Service Centre.
He also serves as Chair of the Healthcare Reference Group of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Speaking after his nomination, Bishop Tom Williams said he was "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."