Pope Leo has appointed a new spiritual leader for Catholics in England and Wales. Bishop Richard Moth has been named as the 12th Archbishop of Westminster, taking over from the retiring Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
A New Chapter for the Diocese
The official announcement was made by the Church on Friday, 19 December 2025. Bishop Moth, who has served as the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015, will be formally installed in his new role at Westminster Cathedral in London on 14 February.
In a statement, Archbishop-elect Moth expressed his feelings about the appointment. "I am moved greatly by the trust that Pope Leo has placed in me," he said. He extended gratitude to Cardinal Nichols for his support and dedicated service, acknowledging he "will be missed greatly." Moth highlighted his positive experience in Arundel and Brighton and stated his immediate priority would be to get to know the clergy and community of the Westminster diocese.
The Legacy and Departure of Cardinal Nichols
Cardinal Vincent Nichols is stepping down after 16 years as Archbishop. The Liverpudlian cardinal turned 80 in November 2025. While he had offered his resignation at the customary age of 75, the late Pope Francis had requested he remain in position.
His tenure concluded under a shadow cast by the 2020 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report. The inquiry found that the Catholic Church had repeatedly failed victims and that Cardinal Nichols had "seemingly put the reputation of the church" above his duty to those abused. The report led to calls for his resignation, though he remained at the Pope's request.
Earlier in 2025, Cardinal Nichols participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo following the death of Pope Francis. He described the new pontiff as a gentle and decisive figure. In a statement on Friday, Cardinal Nichols said he was "delighted" at Bishop Moth's appointment, praising his successor's "many gifts and considerable episcopal experience."
Profile of the New Archbishop
Bishop Richard Moth brings a wealth of experience to the role. Key aspects of his background include:
- Born in Zambia in 1958 and raised in Kent.
- Ordained as a priest in June 1982.
- Served as the Catholic Bishop of the Forces from 2009 to 2015.
- Current roles include Chairman of Governors at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and chairman of the department for social justice.
- He is also the liaison bishop for prisons.
- In his personal time, he is said to enjoy horse riding and walking.
This appointment marks a significant transition for the Catholic community in England and Wales, as Bishop Moth prepares to lead the diocese from its most prominent seat.
