|PIC1|The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham has been appointed to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor as head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Archbishop Nichols, 63, is said to have been personally chosen for the post by Pope Benedict XVI after returning from his trip to Africa last month.
The Pope’s intervention came following the failure of the Congregation of Bishops to choose a successor. In March a number of leading bishops sent a letter to the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, saying that Archbishop Nichols was a “divisive” figure.
Some have also criticised him for his perceived ambition, however he has always claimed that he was “ambitious for God”.
In 2003 Archbishop Nichols claimed that parts of the BBC, especially the news and current affairs sections were pursuing an anti-Catholic agenda. He was also able to force the BBC to withdraw the controversial series Popetown, which many viewed as offensive to Roman Catholics.
Archbishop Nichols was also successful in blocking attempts by the government to force faith schools to accept more students from non-faith backgrounds.
The Archbishop is also seen as tough on dealing with allegations of child abuse by clergymen. In 2000 Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor was criticised for allegedly failing to report a Catholic priest who had abused children.
Archbishop Nichols was born in Crosby, Merseyside and trained at the English College in Rome.
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.