By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - Bishop Richard Moth has been appointed as the new leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the church confirmed on Friday.
He will become the 12th Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding the retiring Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The appointment was made by Pope Leo and announced on Friday.
Bishop Moth, who has served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015, will be officially installed in his new role at Westminster Cathedral on Feb. 14.
In a statement, he 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,” he added.
The archbishop of Westminster is the most senior Catholic figure in England and Wales, with responsibility for leading the church nationally and representing it internationally.
Cardinal Nichols, who is originally from Liverpool, turned 80 in November. Under church rules, cardinals are expected to offer their resignation at the age of 75.
He had previously offered to step down but said that the late Pope Francis had asked him to remain in post.
During his time as archbishop, Cardinal Nichols faced criticism following the publication of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report in November 2020.
The inquiry found that he had “seemingly put the reputation of the church” above his duty to victims of sexual assault.
Despite the controversy, he continued to lead the diocese until his retirement.
Bishop Moth now takes over leadership of the Diocese of Westminster, which covers London and much of southern England, at a time when the Catholic Church continues to face scrutiny over accountability and its role in wider society.