BREAKING Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of England's Cardinal Nichols and Appoints Archbishop Richard Moth as Successor
On Friday, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Westminster, England, presented by Cardinal Vincent Gerard Nichols, according to the Holy See Press Office.His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has on 19 December, appointed the Right Reverend Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster.
Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Southwark on 3 July 1982, Archbishop-elect Moth has served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015. Prior to that, he was the Catholic Bishop of the Forces from 2009 to 2015.
Archbishop-elect Moth will become the 12th Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who has served in the role since 2009. Cardinal Nichols will now become Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Westminster until Archbishop-elect Moth is Installed at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
On hearing of his appointment, Archbishop-elect Moth said:
“I am moved greatly by the trust that Pope Leo has placed in me, in appointing me to the Diocese of Westminster. As I prepare to move to the Diocese, I am so grateful for the support being given to me by Cardinal Vincent Nichols at this time. He has given dedicated service to the Diocese and will be missed greatly.
“Serving the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton has given me the wonderful opportunity of sharing the Church’s mission with lay faithful and clergy, and I give thanks for the many blessings of these last ten years.
“My first task will be to get to know the priests and people of Westminster and I look forward, now, to serving them. With them, and building on the firm foundations that have been laid by so many down the years, I look forward to continuing the great adventure that is the life of the Church and witness to the Gospel.”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols said:
“I am delighted at this news. Archbishop-elect Richard will bring to our Diocese many gifts and considerable episcopal experience from his years of ministry in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, and before that as Bishop of the Forces. I look forward very much to his Installation as our new Archbishop on Saturday, 14 February 2026. It is, of course, St Valentine’s Day, as well as the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, co-Patrons of Europe.
“I remember being present in Westminster Cathedral on 29 September 2009 for the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard as Bishop of the Forces. So today I can say: ‘Welcome back, dear Bishop Richard. You are most welcome indeed.'”
Archbishop Moth has previously served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since March 2015. Charles Phillip Richard Moth was born on 8 July 1958 in Chingola, Zambia. He completed his primary and secondary studies in Catholic schools in Kent. He received priestly formation at St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, Surrey and, at the Université Saint-Paul of Ottawa, where he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law. He was ordained a priest on July 3, 1982 for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Southwark. Archbishop Moth held several offices as a priest, including Parochial Vicar; Judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal of First Instance of Southwark; Chaplain of the Army Medical Corps in Kennington; Private Secretary to the Archbishop; Master of Liturgical Celebrations; Director of the Vocations Office and Vice-Chancellor; President of the Metropolitan Tribunal of Second Instance of Southwark. In 2001, he was appointed Vicar General of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Southwark and Prelate of Honour, and he served as Parish Administrator of Holy Cross, Plumsteas. In 2006, he became the Parish Administrator of St Joseph’s, St Mary’s, Cray. On July 25, 2009, Archbishop Moth was elected Military Ordinary for Great Britain, receiving episcopal consecration on September 29. On March 21, 2015, Pope Francis transferred him to the See of Arundel and Brighton.
Sources: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/new-archbishop-of-westminster/
and Vatican News
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