His Holiness Pope Francis has announced that Archbishop Nichols will be made a Cardinal at the next consistory on 22 February 2014.
Archbishop Vincent issued the following statement:
“Today, I am deeply moved by the honour conferred upon the Catholic Church in England and Wales and on the Diocese of Westminster in my appointment as Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis.
“The Catholic Church in our countries has always had a profound and loving loyalty to the Holy Father, the Successor of St Peter. This appointment enables me, on behalf of all, to serve the Pope in a direct and prolonged way.
“Personally, this is a humbling moment when I am asked to take a place in this service of the Holy See and in the line of much loved Cardinal Archbishops of Westminster. I seek the blessing of Almighty God for these new responsibilities and I ask for the prayers of all people of faith that I may fulfil them with energy and devotion.”
Archbishop Nichols predecessor, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, expressed his joy at the announcement:
“I am delighted that my successor as Archbishop of Westminster, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, has been named a Cardinal.
“Many people in this country have been looking forward to this day. It is an honour, not only for Archbishop Nichols, but for all Catholics in England and Wales.”
Archbishop Nichols’ successor as Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev Bernard Longley, also warmly welcomed the announcement:
“I am delighted at the wonderful news that Archbishop Vincent Nichols is to become a Cardinal at next month’s consistory in Rome.
“On behalf of all the clergy, religious communities and parishes of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, his home for many years, I offer our warmest congratulations and the assurance of our prayers.
“I look forward to inviting our new Cardinal to Birmingham so that we can welcome him and pray for him in his former Cathedral.”
The video embedded at the start of this article is a short interview with Archbishop Nichols not long after he learned of the Holy Father’s decision to create him a cardinal.
Technical Note:
There is a small amount of radio mic interference in the final minute of the interview. Please accept our apologies for the dip in quality.
