Ordination of Bishop Richard Moth
Mgr Richard Moth, former Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark has been Ordained Catholic Bishop of the Forces at Westminster Cathedral.
Bishop Moth was ordained at 11.30am on Tuesday 29 September 2009.
The Principal Celebrant was Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark, assisted by Archbishop Michael Bowen, Retired Archbishop of Southwark and Bishop Tom Burns, Bishop of Menevia and formerly Bishop of the Forces.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz attended alongside Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor and Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
Clergy
30 Archbishops and Bishops were in attendence as were four Abbots and over 250 priests and deacons from the Bishopric, the Archdiocese of Southwark and elsewhere.
Cantors for the Litany were Bro. Michael De Klerke and Fr Benedict Hardy from Pluscarden Abbey - Bishop Richard is an Oblate of Pluscarden.
Archbishop McDonald's homily
"In war, of course, the faith of many people is tested to breaking point as was certainly the case during the two great wars of the last century, as well as subsequent conflicts. There is no easy comfort for those who are bereaved. What I find remarkable is the pride and the generosity with which loved ones speak of their loss. But it is a loss and in the darkness of pain and of grief the Church does represent and embody hope and so takes on a unique role.
Of course, the Good News is most fully appreciated by those who live in faith, those who are alive to God in Christ Jesus. And so someone assuming important responsibility in the Church must, through prayer and growing intimacy with Christ, fan into flame the gift of his own faith so that the people he serves may become aware of the flame of faith in their own lives and allow it to grow stronger."
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Ordination of Bishop Richard Moth: Archbishop Kevin McDonald's homily (pdf)
Archbishop McDonald's welcome
"May I offer an especially warm welcome to all our service personnel who are here with us this morning. The Bishopric of the Forces exists to serve you, to enable you to find strength in your faith in Christ, especially through the sacraments and the very particular ministry of our Chaplains. Thank you for being with us."
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Ordination of Bishop Richard Moth: Archbishop Kevin McDonald's words of welcome (pdf)
An interview with the new Bishop of the Forces
In his first interview, Bishop Moth says offering support to military chaplains lies at the heart of his new ministry. He also cites a visit to Afghanistan as a 'high priority':
"My first priority will be to meet with people – chaplains, service personnel and their families. I have to get to know a lot of people! This will involve some travelling and I hope that will include a visit to Afghanistan in the not-too-distant future.
"A major focus of my work will be support for chaplains in their ministry. There is a need for more chaplains to serve in the Bishopric of the Forces and this is a matter that I shall be addressing, in conjunction with the Principal Chaplains. It is vital that our service personnel have every opportunity to meet with and have the services of Catholic Chaplains."
Read/download
Ordination of Bishop Richard Moth: Interview with Bishop Richard (pdf)
More on the Catholic Bishopric of the Forces
The Bishopric of the Forces is a diocese without geographical boundaries, consisting of Service personnel and their dependants, served by over 40 full-time Catholic Chaplains and a number of TA and Officiating Chaplains. The Chaplains are drawn from dioceses in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Gibraltar and from religious orders. They are seconded to the Bishopric during their military service.
Chaplains are currently serving in the UK including Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus as well as Afghanistan and Iraq. Chaplains are also serving at sea with the Royal Navy.
In addition to his responsibility for service chaplaincy, Bishop Richard will also become Apostolic Visitor for the Prefecture of the Falkland Islands, which also includes St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, Ascension Island, and South Georgia.
Bishop Richard Moth's biography
Bishop Moth was born on 8th July 1958 in Chingola, Zambia, the son of Charles and Barbara Moth. The family moved to England in 1960 and settled in Edenbridge, Kent.
He was educated at St. Andrew’s Convent, Edenbridge and Holmewood House Prep School, Langton Green before going to The Judd School, Tonbridge. After leaving school in 1976, he began formation at St. John’s Seminary, Wonersh and was ordained for the Diocese of Southwark on 3rd June 1982.
More.
Links
Click to visit the Bishopric of the Forces' pages on our site
Click to visit the Bishopric of the Forces' pages on the Ministry of Defence site
Press release: Pope Benedict XVI announces Mgr Moth will be the next Catholic Bishop of the Forces.
Press release: The Ordination of Bishop Richard Moth.