In a significant development for the Roman Catholic community in Britain, Bishop Richard Moth has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Westminster. The 67-year-old will succeed Cardinal Vincent Nichols as the spiritual leader for approximately six million Catholics across England and Wales.
A New Chapter for the Catholic Church in England and Wales
The appointment was made by Pope Leo and announced at a press conference on Friday, where the incoming and outgoing archbishops appeared together. Moth, who has served as the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015, expressed profound gratitude for the Pope's trust.
"I am moved greatly by the trust that Pope Leo has placed in me, in appointing me to the diocese of Westminster," Moth stated. He outlined his immediate priority as getting to know the clergy and congregation of Westminster, pledging to build upon the existing foundations laid by his predecessors.
From Zambia to Westminster: The Path of the New Archbishop
Born in Zambia and raised in Kent, Richard Moth brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Before his tenure in Arundel and Brighton, he served for six years as the Bishop of the Forces, ministering to military personnel. His commitment to faith is long-standing; he has been an oblate of Pluscarden Abbey, a Benedictine community in Scotland, for over four decades.
Moth has not shied away from engaging with contemporary social and ethical issues. He recently intervened in the assisted dying debate, urging clergy and parishioners to contact their MPs to oppose proposed legislation. He has also advocated for empathy towards refugees, drawing parallels to the Holy Family's flight to Egypt, and welcomed policy moves such as the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap.
A Fond Farewell and a Warm Welcome
The outgoing Archbishop, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, 80, offered his resignation upon turning 75 but was asked to remain by the late Pope Francis. He participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo earlier this year. Nichols expressed delight at his successor's appointment, warmly recalling Moth's episcopal ordination in Westminster Cathedral in 2009.
"So today I can say: 'Welcome back, dear Bishop Richard. You are most welcome indeed,'" Nichols said. Moth paid tribute to Nichols's dedicated service, noting he would be "missed greatly" by the diocese.
Beyond his diocesan duties, Moth serves as the chair of governors at St Mary's University, Twickenham, and acts as the liaison bishop for prisons. He is also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
The new Archbishop of Westminster will be formally installed at Westminster Cathedral on 14 February, marking the beginning of a new era for the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
