Marcus Stock

Early life Marcus Nigel Ralph Stock was born on 27 August 1961 in London, England. He attended Oxford University, studying theology at Keble College. He entered training for the priesthood at the Venerable English College and was awarded a Licence in Dogmatic Theology by the Pontifical Gregorian University. Between 1991 and 1994, Stock was a teacher of Religious Education at the European School, Culham. He was appointed assistant director before being promoted to Director of the Archdiocesan Schools Commission between 1999 and 2009, He chose the episcopal motto Desiderio, desideravi (Luke 22:15) which translates as I have desired with desire to be with you or I have eagerly desired, referring to Jesus' fervent desire to celebrate the Passover with his disciples before his death. Stock attended Solemn Vespers on the eve of his consecration as bishop, where his episcopal insignia (ring, mitre and crozier) were blessed by John Wilson, the Diocesan Administrator (Vicar Capitular) for the Diocese of Leeds. His crozier was given as a gift from Stock's previous diocese, the Archdiocese of Birmingham. with consequential changes to the ages at which young people generally first receive the sacraments of reconciliation and holy communion.

In December 2025 he was appointed as the apostolic administrator to the Diocese of Middlesbrough, following the retirement of Bishop Terry Drainey. He has taken on this role in addition to his current role in Leeds, and mentioned in his letter to the diocese that Pope Leo XIV wanted them to consider how both dioceses might "journey together", noting that before 1878 they both used to be part of the Diocese of Beverley.

In March 2026, following the resignation of Bishop Ralph Heskett, Stock was appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Hallam. He confirmed had been tasked with beginning "a consultation with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Hallam about a possible reunification with the Diocese of Leeds".