The Vatican has confirmed the appointment of Richard Moth as the new Archbishop of Westminster, a position that makes him the most senior Catholic cleric in England and Wales.
Archbishop Moth replaces Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who has served in the role since 2009 and stepped aside at the age of 80.
Moth has spent the last decade as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, having previously served as Bishop of the Forces, overseeing pastoral care for members of the armed services.
With his new role, Archbishop Moth will also assume the presidency of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and provide leadership to an estimated four million Catholics across the country.
Although Cardinal Nichols reached the customary retirement age of 75 some years ago, Pope Francis asked him to remain in office. Earlier this year, Nichols participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
The process of selecting his successor was overseen by the Apostolic Nuncio to the United Kingdom, who submitted a shortlist of candidates to Pope Leo for consideration.
Earlier this week, Archbishop Moth joined other senior clerics in a statement urging compassion toward migrants, stressing empathy for “those who come to this country for their safety,” and reminding Catholics that Jesus and his family sought refuge in Egypt.
He has been a prominent voice within the Church on social justice matters, including welcoming the removal of the two-child benefit cap.
At a news conference on Friday, Cardinal Nichols said his successor would bring “experience and practical wisdom to the life of the diocese”.
Archbishop Moth, speaking after his appointment, said, “My first task here is to get to know everybody… to get to know priests and people, to get to know schools, to get to know the life of this wonderful diocese here in Westminster”.
He added that his priorities have “consistently been in the area of social justice”, noting a “particular concern for prisons”.
As he takes office, Archbishop Moth faces the ongoing challenge of declining church attendance nationwide, although some parishes have seen growth driven by immigrant Catholic communities.
He has also raised concerns about the increasing use of Christian imagery at political rallies, including recent events organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Last weekend, Robinson held a gathering in London where he spoke about wanting to “reclaim” Britain’s heritage and Christian identity.
Addressing the issue in a joint statement with the Archbishop of Birmingham, Moth said, “We are concerned about the tensions that are growing in society and the desire by some groups to sow seeds of division within our communities. This does not reflect the spirit or message of Christmas.”
The Catholic Church continues to play a significant role in supporting vulnerable people affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
Archbishop Moth will also inherit the responsibility of addressing safeguarding concerns within the Church.
A major inquiry published in 2020 found that more than 3,000 allegations of child sexual abuse were reported against over 900 individuals linked to the Catholic Church in England and Wales between 1970 and 2015.
The report criticised the leadership of Cardinal Nichols, stating that he prioritised protecting the Church’s reputation over supporting victims. In response at the time, Nichols apologised, accepted the findings, and said, “That so many suffered is a terrible shame with which I must live and from which I must learn.”
Cardinal Nichols retires after 16 years at the helm of the Church in England and Wales, a period marked by profound transformation and significant challenges.
Born in Crosby to parents who were both teachers, Nichols is a lifelong supporter of Liverpool FC. He began his priesthood in Wigan and, in 2010, welcomed Pope Benedict XVI during the pontiff’s official visit to England.
