The Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark, has offered his congratulations and prayers and those of his brother bishops to Archbishop Vincent Nichols on the announcement he will be created a Cardinal by Pope Francis.
“I was delighted to hear the news that Archbishop Vincent Nichols, recently appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Congregation of Bishops, will be created a Cardinal at the next Consistory in Rome on the 22 February.
“On behalf of his brother Bishops and the Catholic community in England and Wales, I offer Archbishop Vincent our heartiest congratulations as the 11th Archbishop of Westminster to be made a Cardinal.
“We assure him of our prayers and ask for God’s blessing as he generously takes on these new responsibilities in assisting the Holy Father in the governance of the universal Church.”
