Churches Together in England is delighted to welcome Archbishop Richard Moth as one of our six Presidents. He succeeds Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who had held the role since 2012.
Archbishop Richard said: “Following my installation as Archbishop of Westminster, I am very pleased indeed that I have become one of the Presidents of CTE. In my previous Diocese, I had the pleasure of chairing Churches Together in Surrey and I now look forward to this wider ecumenical engagement, working with the other CTE Presidents – Archbishop Sarah Mullally, Bishop Tedroy Powell, Bishop Paulina Hławiczka-Trotman, Rev Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson and Bishop Hovakim Manukyan – in bringing the light of the Gospel into the national sphere.”
At the beginning of the installation service, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, brought an ecumenical greeting to the new Archbishop, flanked by the Presidents of the Free Churches Group, Rev Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, and the Orthodox Churches, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan.
She said: “In a world marked by division and uncertainty, the call to unity flows from the heart of the Gospel itself. Our traditions are not weakened by friendship; they are deepened when we walk together in charity, honesty, and truth.
“Archbishop Richard, please be assured of our prayers as you begin this ministry. May the Holy Spirit grant you wisdom and courage; may Christ the Good Shepherd guide and sustain you; and may God bless and uphold you, now and in the years to come”
CTE General Secretary Bishop Mike Royal said: The installation of Archbishop Richard Moth was a wonderful service. It was a particularly poignant moment when Archbishop Sarah Mullally, Rev Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson and Bishop Hovakim Manukyan stepped forward as Churches Together in England Presidents to welcome Archbishop Richard as CTE Catholic President. Archbishop Richard’s commitment to justice, the dignity of all human beings and the flourishing of the church will be a welcome addition to the CTE Presidency.”
More about Archbishop Richard Moth
Archbishop Richard was born in Chingola, Zambia, in 1958. He was brought up in Kent and, after leaving The Judd School, Tonbridge, began formation for the Priesthood at St. John’s Seminary, Wonersh. He was ordained Priest for the Archdiocese of Southwark in June 1982.
After serving in parish ministry and as a Territorial Army Chaplain he became Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of Southwark in 2001. He was ordained Bishop of the Forces in September 2009 and served in this capacity until his appointment as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton on 21 March 2015.
He is Chair of Governors at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Liaison Bishop for Prisons.
Archbishop Richard has been an Oblate of Pluscarden Abbey for over 40 years and is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, travelling many times to the Holy Land.
He has been a Trustee of Churches Together in Surrey since 2015, and latterly served as the Chair. Ecumenical Coordinator for Churches Together in Surrey, Grace Keal said: “Bishop Richard was easy to work with and the Trustees business meetings were legendary in how quick they could be! He was a person that came up with uncomplicated solutions. I will miss him enormously.”
Who are the Presidents of Churches Together in England?
Read about the ecumenical legacy of Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Learn more about the Diocese of Westminster and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
All photos copyright © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk