This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7980704.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Catholic church names new leader | Catholic church names new leader |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, is to become the new Archbishop of Westminster, the BBC has learned. | The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, is to become the new Archbishop of Westminster, the BBC has learned. |
| The 63-year-old will take over next month from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor as leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. | |
| The cardinal is the first man to retire in post since the mid-1800s. | The cardinal is the first man to retire in post since the mid-1800s. |
| In recent years, Archbishop Nichols has been outspoken on topics like Catholic education and adoption agencies. | In recent years, Archbishop Nichols has been outspoken on topics like Catholic education and adoption agencies. |
| In 2006, he defended the way Catholic schools teach children about homosexuality, telling MPs that policies to tackle homophobic bullying were unnecessary. | In 2006, he defended the way Catholic schools teach children about homosexuality, telling MPs that policies to tackle homophobic bullying were unnecessary. |
| The church stood "very firmly" for the equal dignity and rights of a person no matter what their sexual orientation, he said. | The church stood "very firmly" for the equal dignity and rights of a person no matter what their sexual orientation, he said. |
| The archbishop was also a critic of government plans to force faith schools to take up to 25% of pupils from other religions. | The archbishop was also a critic of government plans to force faith schools to take up to 25% of pupils from other religions. |
| The Vatican has made all 10 previous archbishops of Westminster cardinals. | The Vatican has made all 10 previous archbishops of Westminster cardinals. |
| Archbishop Nichols is also likely to become president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. | Archbishop Nichols is also likely to become president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. |
| 'Criticism' | 'Criticism' |
| In 2006, he criticised Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust's plans to get rid of six out of seven hospital chaplains to save cash. | In 2006, he criticised Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust's plans to get rid of six out of seven hospital chaplains to save cash. |
| Later that year, he also hit out at the BBC for screening a Panorama documentary entitled Sex Crimes and the Vatican. | Later that year, he also hit out at the BBC for screening a Panorama documentary entitled Sex Crimes and the Vatican. |
| He described the programme as a "false and misleading" attack on the Vatican and specifically on Pope Benedict XVI. | He described the programme as a "false and misleading" attack on the Vatican and specifically on Pope Benedict XVI. |
| After months of speculation about when he would step down, a parting message from Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor was read out in churches last Sunday. | After months of speculation about when he would step down, a parting message from Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor was read out in churches last Sunday. |
| In it, he acknowledged that although many people are preoccupied with the meaning of life, they find it difficult to experience God. | In it, he acknowledged that although many people are preoccupied with the meaning of life, they find it difficult to experience God. |
| He encouraged the 4.2 million Catholics in England and Wales to be "brave and courageous" in talking openly about their faith. | He encouraged the 4.2 million Catholics in England and Wales to be "brave and courageous" in talking openly about their faith. |