London - «We are here this evening to pray… together». With these words, Cardinal Vincent Nichols opened, on Thursday 5 February 2026, the Mass of Thanksgiving in Westminster Cathedral, celebrated at the conclusion of his ministry at the head of the diocese after sixteen years. Numerous priests and lay faithful took part in the ceremony. In his homily, Nichols spoke of a time that “is coming to an end” and looked to the handover: «In a little while Archbishop Richard will take up this work of service».
In the homily, the Cardinal thanked the priests and his closest collaborators, he recalled the often silent yet decisive face of the laity («faith is in good hands, in the hands of the laity»), and he acknowledged the trials faced by the local Church: the pain of the pandemic, the trauma of abuse, the struggle of learning more aware and responsible responses. The assessment, however, was not that of an “institutional” farewell: Nichols insisted on the missionary vocation of the community, comparing faith to a star that gives direction, able to invite “with discretion” also through everyday life. In the background there is also a personal choice: with the demands of office set aside, the Archbishop Emeritus speaks of a call to “use time with greater care” in order to draw closer to the Lord, and he asks for prayers for this new phase.
Who is Archbishop Vincent Nichols?
Born in 1945 in Crosby, near Liverpool, Nichols has been a priest since 1969 and a bishop since 1992. He was an auxiliary in Westminster, then Archbishop of Birmingham (2000–2009) and then Archbishop of Westminster from 2009 to 2025. Created a cardinal in 2014, he led the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales; in 2020 he had submitted his resignation upon turning 75, remaining in office until the appointment of his successor.
Who is Msgr Richard Moth, the new Archbishop.
Charles Phillip Richard Moth was born in 1958 in Chingola (now Zambia) and grew up in the United Kingdom. Ordained a priest in 1982, he has a formation in canon law developed also in Ottawa (licentiate and master’s). He was Vicar General in Southwark, then Bishop of the Armed Forces (2009–2015) and Bishop of Arundel and Brighton (2015–2025). On 19 December 2025 he was appointed Archbishop of Westminster; his episcopal motto is “pax et gaudium in Domino”.
The next appointments
On Friday 13 February 2026 at 5.30 pm, Solemn Pontifical Vespers will be celebrated in Westminster Cathedral, on the eve of the installation by the Archbishop-elect. The following day, Saturday 14 February, feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, at 12 noon the Holy Mass of canonical installation will take place, during which Msgr Richard Moth will be solemnly proclaimed the 12th Archbishop of Westminster.
fr.F.V.
Silere non possum