New Archbishop of Westminster named
April 03, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Vincent Nichols to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor as archbishop of Britain’s leading see of Westminster.
A 63-year-old native of Liverpool, Archbishop Nichols will be installed on May 21, becoming the 11th Archbishop of Westminster since the Reformation. He had been an auxiliary in the Westminster diocese from 1992 until 2000, when he was appointed Archbishop of Birmingham-- the post that he is now vacating.
The appointment ends months of intense speculation. Although he had always been considered one of the likely candidates for the post, Archbishop Nichols was said not to be the favorite of the outgoing Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor. However, at a press conference announcing the appointment, the cardinal welcomed his successor, and discouraged talk of infighting by stressing that he and Archbishop Nichols worked in "a most united and harmonious bishops' conference." His appointed successor, in turn, paid tribute to the cardinal as "an outstanding Archbishop of Westminster."
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor had been plain about his desire to step down from his pastoral duties at the age of 76. At the end of April he will also complete a term as president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Archbishop Nichols, who was once general-secretary of that conference, could become his successor in that role as well.
The incoming primate has a reputation as a forceful personality. He has sometimes raised the hackles of his colleagues, and in recent months he has incurred the wrath of the secular media with his forthright condemnations of secularism in Great Britain. Some other English bishops reportedly opposed his appointment, complaining that Archbishop Nichols is overly ambitious. But the newly appointed primate said that when he was finally asked to take the Westminster post he "just swallowed hard and said Yes."
Daily Telegraph columnist Damian Thompson describes Archbishop Nichols as “a forceful character who was once regarded as a liberal. But, in recent years, his pastoral gifts have won him friends among Catholics of all varieties-- and have persuaded Pope Benedict XVI that he is the man to transform the Church in England and Wales and bring it closer to Rome.”
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Further information:
- Welcome to our new archbishop (Diocese of Westminster)
- New Archbishop of Westminster thanks predecessor at press conference (The Universe)
- Catholic Church names new leader (BBC)
- Pope names new Archbishop of Westminister (Reuters)
- Nichols is an archbishop for our times (Guardian)
- Profile: The new Archbishop of Westminster (Daily Telegraph)
- Cocktails, piano and prayers (BBC portrait of retiring Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor)
- Damian Thompson on Archbishop Vincent Nichols (Daily Telegraph)
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