Bishop Richard Moth appointed as new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Richard Moth, currently Bishop of the Forces, as Bishop of Arundel & Brighton.

He will be the fifth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton. Bishop Moth was ordained a priest in 1982 and served as a priest in parishes in the Archdiocese of Southwark including acting as Vicar General and Chancellor of the Archdiocese before being ordained Bishop of the Forces in September 2009. In addition to his role as Bishop of the Forces, he is Chair of Governors at St Mary's University, Twickenham, Liaison Bishop for Prisons, Episcopal Advisor to the National Catholic Scout Fellowship and holds a brief on Mental Health on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

Bishop Moth said: "It is a great privilege to have been appointed by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton and I am very conscious of the trust that has been placed in me. In these last fifty years since the foundation of the Diocese, so much has been done to build up the Church and in the proclamation of the Gospel and, with God's help, I look to guide and serve the Diocese to that same end. "

He also acknowledged the work of Archbishop Peter Smith as Apostolic Administrator leading the Diocese over the last few months and said: "I am especially grateful to Archbishop Peter Smith for all he has done in recent months to support and guide the Diocese."

Bishop Richard will be leaving his role as Bishop of the Forces and he said to them: "It has been wonderful, over these past five and half years, to work with the chaplains and so many people from the Armed Forces community and all those who serve as members of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force will always have a special place in my thoughts and prayers."

Finally he turned to his new Diocese and addressing everyone he said: "I ask for the prayers of the People and Clergy of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton as I prepare for the years that lie ahead that together we be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the service of Christ and his Church."

Bishop Richard will be installed at Arundel Cathedral as the new Bishop of Arundel & Brighton on Thursday 28th May on the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of the Diocese on 28th May 1965. He will then preside at the Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving for the Diocese at the Amex Stadium in Brighton on Sunday 5th July.

Archbishop Peter said of his appointment: "I was so pleased when I heard the news that he had accepted the appointment from the Holy Father. I have known Bishop Richard for many years, firstly when I taught him as a student at St John's Seminary, then as a fellow priest of the Archdiocese and most recently as a brother bishop. I know that he will work tirelessly to serve all the people of the diocese, and I have no doubt that he will prove to be a true pastor to the Clergy, Religious and People of the Diocese."

The Diocese of Arundel & Brighton was established on 28 May 1965, having previously been a part of the larger Archdiocese of Southwark. The Diocese comprises the counties of West & East Sussex, Surrey outside of the Greater London Borough, and the City of Brighton & Hove. It is one of 22 Roman Catholic Dioceses in England & Wales. The Diocese has a weekly Mass attendance of 40,334 persons. There are 83 parishes some with several churches where Mass is celebrated regularly.

Currently the Diocese has 136 diocesan and 97 religious priests, as well as 48 permanent deacons. There are five students currently training for the priesthood and five for the diaconate. There are a large number of Religious Orders, both men and women, living and working in the Diocese in a number of apostolates. The Diocese has a total of 83 Catholic schools.

Bishop Richard was born in Chingola, Zambia on 1958. He was brought up in Kent and, after leaving The Judd School, Tonbridge, began formation at St John's Seminary, Wonersh. He was ordained Priest 3rd June 1982. He served as assistant priest at St Bede's, Clapham Park before pursing studies in Canon Law at St Paul University, Ottawa. In 1987 he was appointed assistant priest at St Saviour's, Lewisham, during which time he also served as a Territorial Army Chaplain with 217 General Hospital RAMC(V).

He served as Private Secretary to Archbishop Michael Bowen from 1992 until 2001, during which time he was also President of the Interdiocesan Tribunal of Second Instance of Southwark and Vocations Director. In 2001 he was appointed Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese.

In addition to his role as Bishop of the Armed Forces, he is Chair of Governors at St Mary's University, Twickenham, Liaison Bishop for Prisons, Episcopal Advisor to the National Catholic Scout Fellowship and holds a brief on Mental Health on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Bishop Richard has been a Benedictine Oblate for over 30 years and is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, with whom he has travelled many times to the Holy Land. He enjoys horse riding and walking.

Source: Diocese of Arundel & Brighton