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The heart of British Catholicism The heart of British Catholicism
(30 minutes later)
By Robert Piggott BBC News religious affairs correspondent By Robert Pigott BBC News religious affairs correspondent
The Archbishop of Birmingham, Vincent Nichols, is to become the new Archbishop of Westminster. It is a post which, perhaps surprisingly, will likely wield considerable influence both inside and outside the Church.The Archbishop of Birmingham, Vincent Nichols, is to become the new Archbishop of Westminster. It is a post which, perhaps surprisingly, will likely wield considerable influence both inside and outside the Church.
Look at the Diocese of Westminster on the map and you could be disappointed. It is one of the smallest Catholic dioceses in area in England and Wales.Look at the Diocese of Westminster on the map and you could be disappointed. It is one of the smallest Catholic dioceses in area in England and Wales.
Westminster Cathedral is at the apex of Roman Catholic influence in BritainWestminster Cathedral is at the apex of Roman Catholic influence in Britain
But its 216 parishes cover virtually all of London north of the River Thames, and also Hertfordshire, making it the largest diocese in terms of the Catholic population and the number of clergy serving in it.But its 216 parishes cover virtually all of London north of the River Thames, and also Hertfordshire, making it the largest diocese in terms of the Catholic population and the number of clergy serving in it.
The diocese is also what in church-speak is called a metropolitan see: it is the centre of a division of the Church, or a province, including the dioceses of Brentwood, Northampton, Nottingham and East Anglia - a sizeable chunk of England.The diocese is also what in church-speak is called a metropolitan see: it is the centre of a division of the Church, or a province, including the dioceses of Brentwood, Northampton, Nottingham and East Anglia - a sizeable chunk of England.
At its heart is the splendid Westminster Cathedral, built in bands of red brick and white stone, an extraordinary Byzantine-style arena for the archbishop, the man who is, by tradition, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.At its heart is the splendid Westminster Cathedral, built in bands of red brick and white stone, an extraordinary Byzantine-style arena for the archbishop, the man who is, by tradition, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Westminster has become one of the most important dioceses, not only in the UK, or even Europe, but in the whole Catholic world.Westminster has become one of the most important dioceses, not only in the UK, or even Europe, but in the whole Catholic world.
The Pope will have taken a particular interest in the choice of Archbishop Nichols - rather as he would in the equivalent appointment in New York or Washington.The Pope will have taken a particular interest in the choice of Archbishop Nichols - rather as he would in the equivalent appointment in New York or Washington.
Prestigious archbishopsPrestigious archbishops
But Westminster's prestige does not come only from size and splendour.But Westminster's prestige does not come only from size and splendour.
The diocese has become a significant centre of Roman Catholic thought through its place in the centre of a cosmopolitan London that dominates British national life.The diocese has become a significant centre of Roman Catholic thought through its place in the centre of a cosmopolitan London that dominates British national life.
Former Archbishops of Westminster Nicholas Wiseman 1850-1865 Henry Manning 1865-1892 Herbert Vaughan 1892-1903 Francis Bourne 1903-1934 Arthur Hinsley 1935-1943 Bernard Griffin 1943-1956 William Godfrey 1956-1963 John Heenan 1963-1975 Basil Hume 1976-1999 Cormac Murphy-O'Connor 2000-2009Former Archbishops of Westminster Nicholas Wiseman 1850-1865 Henry Manning 1865-1892 Herbert Vaughan 1892-1903 Francis Bourne 1903-1934 Arthur Hinsley 1935-1943 Bernard Griffin 1943-1956 William Godfrey 1956-1963 John Heenan 1963-1975 Basil Hume 1976-1999 Cormac Murphy-O'Connor 2000-2009
The hot-house atmosphere has been fuelled by immigration (the diocese has dozens of chaplaincies serving ethnic minorities), London's Catholic intelligentsia, and its colleges.The hot-house atmosphere has been fuelled by immigration (the diocese has dozens of chaplaincies serving ethnic minorities), London's Catholic intelligentsia, and its colleges.
The fact that a huge slice of the Church - especially its bishops, archbishops and cardinals - speak English as a second language also helps Westminster to punch above its weight.The fact that a huge slice of the Church - especially its bishops, archbishops and cardinals - speak English as a second language also helps Westminster to punch above its weight.
Westminster's status has grown with the prestige of some of its recent archbishops, and in the process borrowed influence from large northern dioceses such as Liverpool and Hexham.Westminster's status has grown with the prestige of some of its recent archbishops, and in the process borrowed influence from large northern dioceses such as Liverpool and Hexham.
In the British hierarchy the Church of England was dominant until the 1960s.In the British hierarchy the Church of England was dominant until the 1960s.
But some Archbishops of Westminster such as Cardinals Heenan and Hume became spiritual leaders in the eyes of the largely non-Catholic nation beyond Westminster, boosting the prestige of the top job at the same time.But some Archbishops of Westminster such as Cardinals Heenan and Hume became spiritual leaders in the eyes of the largely non-Catholic nation beyond Westminster, boosting the prestige of the top job at the same time.
Some people credit the 1944 Education Act for opening the way of many working-class Catholics to red-brick universities, boosting the confidence of the Church itself.Some people credit the 1944 Education Act for opening the way of many working-class Catholics to red-brick universities, boosting the confidence of the Church itself.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor continued the process of bringing English and Welsh Catholicism into the mainstream, preaching to the Queen at Sandringham in 2002.Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor continued the process of bringing English and Welsh Catholicism into the mainstream, preaching to the Queen at Sandringham in 2002.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor is the first to retire as Archbishop of WestminsterCardinal Murphy-O'Connor is the first to retire as Archbishop of Westminster
The cardinal won widespread support when he publicly challenged the justice of the Act of Settlement, which prevents the heir to the throne from marrying a Roman Catholic.The cardinal won widespread support when he publicly challenged the justice of the Act of Settlement, which prevents the heir to the throne from marrying a Roman Catholic.
Westminster has also developed an international role in the Church.Westminster has also developed an international role in the Church.
Cardinal Hume was active for example in the Council of Bishops' Conferences in Europe, and the new archbishop will be expected to serve a similar function.Cardinal Hume was active for example in the Council of Bishops' Conferences in Europe, and the new archbishop will be expected to serve a similar function.
Since the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy - the organisation of dioceses and bishops across the country - in 1850, the Archbishop of Westminster has traditionally been made a cardinal.Since the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy - the organisation of dioceses and bishops across the country - in 1850, the Archbishop of Westminster has traditionally been made a cardinal.
It gives the diocese a place at the Catholic top table, represented by one of the 120 or so "princes of the Church" with a vote in electing the Pope.It gives the diocese a place at the Catholic top table, represented by one of the 120 or so "princes of the Church" with a vote in electing the Pope.
Archbishop Nichols might have to wait for his red hat, however.Archbishop Nichols might have to wait for his red hat, however.
Every other archbishop has died in office; Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor is the first since 1850 to survive into retirement, and will retain his vote in the college of Cardinals until he is 80.Every other archbishop has died in office; Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor is the first since 1850 to survive into retirement, and will retain his vote in the college of Cardinals until he is 80.
The Pope might decide that one voting cardinal is enough for London at any one time.The Pope might decide that one voting cardinal is enough for London at any one time.