Nichols’ key role in bishop selection

The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, has been given a pivotal position in the appointment of new English bishops by Pope Francis, who has named him as a member of an important Vatican department.

The Congregation for Bishops has responsibility for choosing leaders of dioceses mostly in Europe and the Americas though technic­ally bishops are appointed by the Pope. As a member of the group, Archbishop Nichols will attend many of the congregation’s twice-monthly meetings, where candidates for dioceses, including Britain, are discussed.

There are eight British dioceses in need of new bishops, including the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the country’s most important northern see. The next appointments – which include Salford, Leeds, Brentwood and Hallam – will effectively shape the future of the hierarchy in England and Wales.

Archbishop Nichols’ appointment gives him scrutiny of the work of the apostolic ­nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini. It is Archbishop Mennini’s job to compile a list of three candidates for each diocese – known as a terna – which, along with a report, is sent to the Congregation for Bishops. Members of the congregation assess candidates and the needs of individual dioceses before sending their recommendation to Pope Francis. It has been known for the congregation to send back ternas to nuncios for new names. It is understood that the views of English-speaking members carry particular weight in discussions about English-speaking dioceses.

There has been concern in Britain over the slow pace of episcopal appointments, with the Bishop of Brentwood, Thomas McMahon, 77, celebrating a “farewell Mass” for his diocese over a year ago.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor was a member of the congregation following his retirement as Archbishop of Westminster in 2009, until he turned 80 in August 2012. The cardinal was in Rome earlier this month and is understood to have had a meeting with the Pope: the two know each other well as they were made cardinals at the same consistory in 2001 and dined together just before this year’s conclave.

Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor concelebrated an early morning Mass with Francis at his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The recently appointed Bishop of Plymouth, Mark O’Toole, also concelebrated.