Pope Leo appoints Richard Moth as new Archbishop of Westminster

Vatican News

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.

The Pope also appointed Archbishop Richard Moth to shepherd the Archdiocese of Westminster, according to the Holy See Press Office.

Archbishop Moth has previously served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since March 2015.

Brief biography

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.