Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Richard Moth, 67, of Arundel and Brighton as the new Archbishop of Westminster. Moth is known for his work on prisons, mental health and poverty, and chairs the bishops' Department for Social Justice. He succeeds Cardinal Vincent Nichols and will play a leading public role in church-state engagement in England and Wales amid a charged political climate. Observers say his blend of pastoral care and administrative skill suits the demands of the post.
Pope Leo Appoints Social-Justice Advocate Richard Moth As Archbishop Of Westminster
Richard Moth, the incoming Archbishop of Westminister, regularly speaks out on social issues including the cost-of-living crisis and two-child benefit cap. He welcomed the scrapping of the cap saying that “large families are a blessing” and that it had pushed many families into poverty. - The Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
Pope Leo XIV on Friday named Bishop Richard Moth, 67, of Arundel and Brighton, as the new Archbishop of Westminster, making him the most senior Catholic leader in England and Wales. The appointment is the second senior posting announced by the pope this week, following his nomination of Bishop Ronald Hicks as Archbishop of New York.
Profile: A Mediator With A Social-Justice Focus
Moth is widely regarded as a consensus-builder within the Church and is known for his practical commitment to Catholic social teaching, especially on prisons, mental health and poverty. He chairs the Department for Social Justice at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and has frequently spoken out on the cost-of-living crisis and the two-child benefit cap, welcoming the decision to scrap the cap and describing large families as 'a blessing' who had been pushed into hardship by the policy.
National Role And Political Context
As Archbishop of Westminster, Moth will have a prominent national platform: engaging with the UK government, speaking on public policy from a Catholic perspective, and helping to lead the bishops' conference. His appointment arrives amid heightened political tensions: the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform party (which has appealed to some voters by invoking Christian identity) and activity by far-right activists have made the intersection of faith and politics particularly sensitive.
Pope Leo has cautioned leaders against turning faith into a tool for partisan battles, warning against using religion to bless nationalism or justify violence and urging a broader understanding of Europe’s Judeo-Christian heritage.
Background And Character
Moth has led the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton since 2015 and previously served as bishop to the armed forces. A trained canon lawyer and former army chaplain, he is also an associate member (oblate) of Pluscarden Abbey in Scotland. Colleagues praise his combination of prayerfulness and practical administration: Rev. Christopher Jamison, a Benedictine abbot, described him as someone ready to 'grasp nettles' and help priests and laypeople adapt to new challenges.
He succeeds Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who turned 80 last month and has retired after more than a decade as archbishop. Nichols' tenure included notable work on issues such as human trafficking and Catholic education, alongside criticism over parts of the Church's handling of clerical sexual abuse that were examined in an independent inquiry.
What This Means Going Forward
Moth’s appointment signals a continued papal interest in leaders who combine pastoral sensitivity with public engagement on social issues. As he steps into a role that routinely places the archbishop at the center of church-state conversations in England and Wales, observers will watch how he balances advocacy for vulnerable people with calls from the Vatican to keep faith distinct from partisan politics.
