Monsignor Lang was born in Cowes, Isle of Wight, on April 15, 1950, and educated at Ryde School. In 1968 he went to Allen Hall, St. Edmund´s College, Ware, to study for the priesthood. While at Allen Hall he also gained a bachelor´s in history from Royal Holloway College, University of London.
He was ordained for the Diocese of Portsmouth in 1975, and from 1975 to 1979 was an assistant priest at the cathedral. In 1979 he was appointed secretary to the bishop and chancellor of the diocese. His other assignments included moderator of the curia and administrator of the cathedral. In 1996 he was appointed vicar general of the diocese.
He chaired the working party on clergy appraisal set up by the Bishops´ Conference and the National Conference of Priests which produced the recommendations document «Supporting Ministry» in 1999. He will be ordained bishop Marcy 28 in Clifton Cathedral.
