ROME (AP) — In a significant move that indicates a generational shift within the English-speaking Catholic hierarchy, Pope Leo XIV has appointed a new archbishop of Westminster. Bishop Richard Moth, aged 67, has been chosen to succeed the retiring Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who is 80 years old. This appointment reflects a growing trend of transitioning leadership within the Catholic Church, particularly in influential positions.
The announcement of Bishop Moth’s appointment comes shortly after Pope Leo named Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, to fill the post of retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan as archbishop of New York. These changes come at a time when both Dolan and Nichols have been regarded as heavyweight cardinals in the Catholic Church, with their appointments dating back to 2009 by former Pope Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Nichols has developed a closer relationship with Pope Francis, who elevated him to cardinal in 2014 and permitted him to continue in his role beyond the usual retirement age of 75. Conversely, Cardinal Dolan has adhered to a more conservative stance within the Church. Following his 75th birthday, Dolan submitted his resignation to Pope Francis in February. His resignation was ultimately accepted after a ten-month delay, coinciding with the establishment of a $300 million settlement fund for victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Pope Leo XIV has signaled a more stringent adherence to the 75-year-old retirement norm among bishops, advocating for the renewal and revitalization of Church leadership. During a recent speech to Italian bishops, he emphasized the need for continuous renewal to tackle contemporary challenges, stating, “We must prevent inertia from slowing necessary change, even for good intentions.”
Bishop Moth, who hails from Chingola, Zambia, has served as the bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015 and previously was bishop for the British armed forces. He now takes the helm at Westminster Cathedral, recognized as the mother church for Catholics in England and Wales.
In addition to the Westminster appointment, Pope Leo also accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald Barbarito, 75, from his position as bishop of Palm Beach, Florida. The Pope appointed Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, the current pastor of the Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Queens, New York, as his successor. This church, situated in a predominantly Hispanic area of Corona, has the largest congregation within the Diocese of Brooklyn and was significantly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, losing over 100 parishioners.
Rev. Rodríguez has been a vocal advocate for the migrant community, which constitutes the majority of his parishioners. He currently leads a diocese that encompasses President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. In an interview, Rodríguez expressed the desire for the Catholic Church to assist Trump in improving his approach towards migrants, stating, “We’re here to help. We’re willing to help, and God willing, we will.”
Amidst the ongoing discussions about immigration, Catholic leaders in the U.S. have publicly criticized the Trump administration’s policies, which they argue have instigated family separations and created an atmosphere of fear within communities that serve migrant populations. The administration, however, defends its immigration policies as necessary for public safety and national security.
These recent appointments and the shift toward younger leadership signify a notable transition within the Catholic Church, particularly as it aims to address modern issues affecting its congregants across the globe.
