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Catholic Church names new leader Catholic Church names new leader
(30 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 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, 76, is the first man to retire in post since the mid-1800s.The cardinal, 76, is the first man to retire in post since the mid-1800s.
Archbishop Nichols said he wanted to make sure the church was open to challenging "new frontiers".
He said he "just swallowed hard and said 'yes'," when asked to take on the "daunting" role, because it was his strong desire to play a part in the church's mission.
The archbishop said the church faced challenges in terms of public life, modern culture and the needs of the people of the world.
"I would love to build on what we have and see a church that is open to all sorts of frontiers."
Robert Pigott, BBC Religious affairs correspondent Vincent Nichols has been the favourite for this job for some time. It's because of his robust taking on of secularised society that he will have attracted the Pope's eye. He took chairmanship of a special office set up for the protection of vulnerable children and adults after sexual abuse scandals a decade ago... and is associated with addressing that problem. There was a degree of opposition at grassroots and clergy level. Some felt he showed his ambition to get this job a little too much. Others said he was not as much one to bring everyone together to make decisions as Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor has been. A 'tough champion' for Catholics
He paid tribute to the "robust leadership" of Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, who he said had emerged from difficult times stronger and more buoyant than when he took on the role.
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.
Robert Pigott, BBC Religious affairs correspondent Vincent Nichols has been the favourite for this job for some time. It's because of his robust taking on of secularised society that he will have attracted the Pope's eye. He took chairmanship of a special office set up for the protection of vulnerable children and adults after sexual abuse scandals a decade ago... and is associated with addressing that problem. There was a degree of opposition at grassroots and clergy level. Some felt he showed his ambition to get this job a little too much. Others said he was not as much one to bring everyone together to make decisions as Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor has been. class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7824628.stm"> A 'tough champion' for Catholics Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said he was glad to be handing on the role to someone so "competent, compassionate and experienced".
He said Archbishop Nichols would face "huge challenges but great opportunities" in the diocese.
The Vatican has made all 10 previous archbishops of Westminster cardinals.The Vatican has made all 10 previous archbishops of Westminster cardinals.
However, Archbishop Nichols may have to wait until Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor turns 80 and no longer has the right to vote in elections for a new pope before taking the title.However, Archbishop Nichols may have to wait until Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor turns 80 and no longer has the right to vote in elections for a new pope before taking the title.
He is also likely to become president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.He is also likely to become president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.
Kevin Flaherty, editor of the Catholic Times newspaper, said the appointment would be warmly welcomed.Kevin Flaherty, editor of the Catholic Times newspaper, said the appointment would be warmly welcomed.
"Archbishop Nichols is a dynamic churchman - a wise pastor and strong leader," he said."Archbishop Nichols is a dynamic churchman - a wise pastor and strong leader," he said.
"His much-needed leadership qualities will be - in the words of the late Pope John Paul II - a 'sign of contradiction' in an ever increasing secular age.""His much-needed leadership qualities will be - in the words of the late Pope John Paul II - a 'sign of contradiction' in an ever increasing secular age."
'Media performer'
The archbishop is seen as a good media performer, having commentated on the funeral of Pope John Paul II for the BBC in 2005.The archbishop is seen as a good media performer, having commentated on the funeral of Pope John Paul II for the BBC in 2005.
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.
In his new role, Archbishop Nichols is likely to travel on behalf of the church and play an important role in deciding policy at the Vatican.In his new role, Archbishop Nichols is likely to travel on behalf of the church and play an important role in deciding policy at the Vatican.
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.