Vincent Nichols will be 80 in October. He should have retired when he was 75 but announced that he would ‘soldier on’.
Does anyone have any idea who might succeed him? Or any idea what the process of choosing is?
There is a thorough Wiki aticle.
In summary, in the UK the Papal Nuncio submits a list of three to the Vatican. This list is compiled from existing knowledge of suitable candidates which is kept updated from consultations with bishops, clergy and "wise lay people" as Canon Law puts it. This list has to be updated at least every three years. The Vatican can reject the list - they might have good reason if they feel there has been external pressure put on the local church - and ask for a fresh one. The Pope chooses using the information provided.
Because of the particular position of Westminster being in the capital city and therefore having a more prominent role in public life I would hope that the consultations are particularly thorough and widespread. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appointment_of_Catholic_bishops#Pastoral_bishops_in_the_Latin_Church
The problem is that one of the people being lined up as a possible next Archbishop, Father Mark Langham, died four years ago. Another, past Rector of the English College Philip Whitmore, isn't yet a bishop. That leaves John Arnold (currently Bishop of Salford) and ??? Some have been touting John Wilson, currently at Southwark, but at only 56 he's going to be around for a very long time if they put him in place and he isn't up to the job.
Bearing in mind that the Archbishop of Westminster has to be a heavyweight and comfortable in "establishment" circles, my money would be on John Arnold.
Oh, not Wilson! Remember the fiasco of the banned gay author? He’s keeps issuing very pious ‘initiatives’ but other than that what? He isn’t loved like his predecessor Peter Smith.
Bishop Arnold is very sound on Laudato Si and certainly has the academics and connections.
Is there anyone else in the frame?
If only the laity were consulted.
If she hadn’t died and wasn’t barred because she was a woman we need someone like Dame Catherine OSB aka Digital nun.
Oh, not Wilson! Remember the fiasco of the banned gay author? He’s keeps issuing very pious ‘initiatives’ but other than that what? He isn’t loved like his predecessor Peter Smith.
Bishop Arnold is very sound on Laudato Si and certainly has the academics and connections.
Is there anyone else in the frame?
If only the laity were consulted.
If she hadn’t died and wasn’t barred because she was a woman we need someone like Dame Catherine OSB aka Digital nun.
So, apart from being dead and ineligible what reasons might there be not to appoint her?
None! She was wise, compassionate, stratospherically intelligent, pulled no punches and understood the machinations of institutions. Her writing is wonderful and she saw right through hypocrisy and concealed ambition
I believe that Basil Hume was appointed directly from his monastery as an abbot in priest's orders-- the candidate needn't have been a bishop before, and can be consecrated & enthroned. So Philip Whitmore can be preferred.
Or the Pope may whimsically appoint an Argentine prelate.
The Rector of the English College Rome, Stephen Wang is an excellent communicator, and is media savvy. An adult convert, prison chaplain, attached to the Notting Hill Carnival, PhD in human happiness from Cambridge etc, etc.
However at 54, he might be thought to be a bit young.
Bishop Arnold is highly thought of by those concerned about and active in the fields of green issues, inequality, social justice.
Comments
In summary, in the UK the Papal Nuncio submits a list of three to the Vatican. This list is compiled from existing knowledge of suitable candidates which is kept updated from consultations with bishops, clergy and "wise lay people" as Canon Law puts it. This list has to be updated at least every three years. The Vatican can reject the list - they might have good reason if they feel there has been external pressure put on the local church - and ask for a fresh one. The Pope chooses using the information provided.
Because of the particular position of Westminster being in the capital city and therefore having a more prominent role in public life I would hope that the consultations are particularly thorough and widespread.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appointment_of_Catholic_bishops#Pastoral_bishops_in_the_Latin_Church
Bearing in mind that the Archbishop of Westminster has to be a heavyweight and comfortable in "establishment" circles, my money would be on John Arnold.
Bishop Arnold is very sound on Laudato Si and certainly has the academics and connections.
Is there anyone else in the frame?
If only the laity were consulted.
If she hadn’t died and wasn’t barred because she was a woman we need someone like Dame Catherine OSB aka Digital nun.
So, apart from being dead and ineligible what reasons might there be not to appoint her?
Or the Pope may whimsically appoint an Argentine prelate.
However at 54, he might be thought to be a bit young.
Bishop Arnold is highly thought of by those concerned about and active in the fields of green issues, inequality, social justice.