Richard Moth

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The Most Reverend

Richard Moth
Archbishop-designate of Westminster
Church Roman Catholic Church
Province Westminster
Diocese Westminster
Appointed19 December 2025
Predecessor Vincent Nichols
Previous posts
Orders
Ordination3 July 1982
by  Michael George Bowen
Consecration29 September 2009
by  Kevin John Patrick McDonald
Personal details
BornCharles Phillip Richard Moth
(1958-07-08) 8 July 1958 (age 67)
Chingola, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (now Zambia)
Nationality British
Denomination Roman Catholic Church
ParentsCharles and Barbara Moth
Mottopax et gaudium in Domino
Coat of arms Coat of arms of Richard Moth.svg

Charles Phillip Richard Moth (born 8 July 1958) is a British Roman Catholic prelate who is the Archbishop-designate of Westminster, having served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton from 2015 to 2025. Previously, he was Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark from 2001 to 2009, and Bishop of the Forces from 2009 to 2015.

Contents

Early life

Charles Phillip Richard Moth was born in 1958 in Chingola, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and immigrated to the United Kingdom at the age of two. He was educated at The Judd School in Tonbridge, Kent. He trained for the priesthood at St John's Seminary, Wonersh. [1] He later studied at Saint Paul University, Ottawa, graduating with Master of Arts (MA) and Licentiate of Canon Law (JCL) degree in 1987. [2]

Ordained ministry

Priesthood

Moth was ordained to the priesthood on 3 July 1982. [1] He served as Curate at St Bede's, Clapham Park and as a judge at the Southwark Metropolitan Tribunal before being sent to do further study in Ottawa, gaining a Licentiate and then a Master's in Canon Law. In 1987 he returned to Southwark and was curate at St Saviour's, Lewisham. [1] During this time, he was also a Territorial Army chaplain, serving with 217 General Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (V). [1] He was commissioned in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department as Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class (equivalent in rank to captain) on 26 April 1988. [3] He ended his service on 12 July 1993, with his commission transferring to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers. [4]

In 1992, Archbishop Michael Bowen named him as his private secretary and master of ceremonies, serving concurrently as vocations director and vice-chancellor of the Diocese. Moth was named a Monsignor to the degree of Chaplain of His Holiness in 1998. In 2001, upon the elevation of the Vicar General, Mgr Canon John Hine, to be an Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, Moth was named Vicar General and Chancellor of the Archdiocese. [1] With this new post, he was promoted to be a Prelate of Honour. [5] He was also a parish priest, serving as parish administrator of Holy Cross Church, Plumstead from 2003 and then as parish administrator of Saint Joseph's Church, Saint Mary Cray from 2006. [5]

Episcopate

In July 2009, Moth was appointed Bishop of the Forces by Pope Benedict XVI. [6] He stepped down as vicar general of Southwark and was succeeded in that role by Mgr. Matthew Dickens in September 2009. He was consecrated as a bishop on 29 September 2009 in Westminster Cathedral; Archbishop Kevin McDonald was principal consecrator, with Archbishop Michael Bowen and Bishop Tom Burns as principal co-consecrators. [7] Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Cardinals Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Keith O'Brien were also present in choir. [7] His time as Bishop of the Forces ended in 2015 when he was translated to a different see. [8]

On 21 March 2015, Moth was announced as the next Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, having been appointed by Pope Francis. [1] He was installed on 28 May 2015. [9] In 2017, he was made a Canon of Honour of the Anglican Chichester Cathedral. [10]

On 19 December 2025, he was appointed Archbishop of Westminster by Pope Leo XIV. [11] [12] He will be installed as archbishop in Westminster Cathedral on 14 February 2026. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Richard Moth as the New Bishop of Arundel and Brighton". Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. 21 March 2015. Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "Article Arundel and Brighton, Bishop of, (Rc), (Rt Rev. (Charles Phillip) Richard Moth), (born 8 July 1958)". Who's Who 2026 . Oxford University Press. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "No. 51386". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 June 1988. p. 7166.
  4. ↑ "No. 53512". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 December 1993. p. 19794.
  5. 1 2 "Resignations and Appointments: Resignation and appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Westminster, England". press.vatican.va. Holy See Press Office. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Pope announces new Catholic Bishop of the Forces". Catholic Bishops' Conference. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Mgr Richard Moth Ordained Bishop". Catholic News. The Catholic Church for England and Wales. 29 September 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "Installation of Bishop Richard Moth". Bishopric of the Forces. 11 June 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "CatholicHerald.co.uk » Bishop to Arundel and Brighton: at times of weakness we must focus on Christ". www.catholicherald.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  10. ↑ "Bishop Richard Moth to be Appointed Honorary Canon of Chichester Cathedral". Catholic Bishops' Conference. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Bishop Richard Moth appointed new Archbishop of Westminster - Diocese of Westminster". rcdow.org.uk. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  12. ↑ Coppen, Luke. "The Mothman cometh, to Westminster". www.pillarcatholic.com. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  13. ↑ Braddick, Amelia (19 December 2025). "Cardinal Nichols to be succeeded by Bishop Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster". Church Times. Archived from the original on 22 December 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.

Bibliography

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