His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has today, 19 December, appointed the Right Reverend Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster.
Archbishop-elect Moth will become the 12th Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who has served in the role since 2009. Cardinal Nichols will now become Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Westminster until Archbishop-elect Moth is Installed at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Wave of Hope offers 26 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope. We also have a special reflection for Christmas Day. Read more or watch the latest reflection below.
Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop Richard Moth have released a statement affirming what the coming of Christ at Christmas means to Catholics, expressing their shared concern at societal tensions and division in our communities, something that does not “reflect the spirit or message of Christmas.”
The Chair of the Department for Dialogue and Unity, and Chair of the Department for Social Justice of the Bishops’ Conference respectively, Archbishop Longley and Bishop Moth describe our participation in Advent and the celebration of Christmas as “our lived response in opposition to those who seek division.”
The statement presents hope, joy, peace, and love as the incarnational antidote to these divisions. Read more.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, has written to UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to express his heartfelt sympathy to, and prayers for, the Jewish community after the devastating terror attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration on the Sydney beach.
Decrying the senseless act of violence, Cardinal Nichols hoped that some comfort could be taken from the “solidarity from people of all backgrounds who stand with you against violence and antisemitism.” Read more.
The Most Reverend Mark O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia is calling on Catholics and people of goodwill living in Wales to write to their member of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, to oppose assisted suicide. Members of the Senedd will be asked to decide whether Wales should give its consent to Westminster’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — a law that would legalise assisted suicide. Read more.
Guidance to help you write to a Peer to oppose the Bill seeking to legalise assisted suicide as it passes through the House of Lords. Unlike MPs, Members of the House of Lords do not have constituents, meaning there is not a Peer whose job it is to represent you based on the area of the country in which you live. For this reason you should take some time to think about which Peer you will write to and why – such as whether you have a personal or professional connection with them, or you have professional expertise in medicine or healthcare. We also suggest three key points that can be emphasised in your letter to a Peer.
The Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has published a document on taxation called Render Unto Caesar. It offers perspectives on taxation from Catholic social thought and teaching. Read more.
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