Podcast: An interview with Mgr Richard Moth, Bishop-elect of the Forces
Pope Benedict XVI has announced that Monsignor Richard Moth, currently Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark, will be the next Bishop of the Forces.
Richard Moth served for five years as a Territorial Army chaplain attached to 217 General Hospital RAMC (V).
Bishop-elect Richard will be ordained bishop on Tuesday 29 September 2009.
In this downloadable audio interview, we discuss his personal feelings ahead of his Ordination, the challenges ahead and how he's looking forward to working with Forces' chaplains and service personnel and their families.
On the announcement...
"It's a great privilege, it's exciting - also a little bit daunting. It'll be a steep learning curve but I'm very much looking forward to it. The work that our chaplains do is vital and I look forward to working with and supporting them and service personnel and their families."
On military chaplains...
"The chaplain can be someone a little bit outside in a way - not in the chain of command in any sense but somebody [personnel] can talk to whenever they need to, someone because of his priestly training that will have that understanding. Also, because they are military appointments, they understand the scene so they're very well placed to provide excellent pastoral care - and they do."
On past visits to military bases and being around service personnel...
"I actually feel at home there. That side doesn't phase me but I'm conscious that there's a huge amount to learn and I'm coming into this as something of a newcomer. I'm looking forward to the support the chaplains and staff will be able to give me as I start my new role."
On the presence of Christ in difficult circumstances...
"In those very difficult circumstances, people's faith is challenged - some people find faith in those circumstances too. The presence of Christ is a vital one. People need to be aware that God is with them wherever they are - that's very much what our chaplains are about."
On what he's looking forward to when ordained Bishop of the Forces...
"It's working with our chaplains in the service of our military personnel and their families. It's very much to do with service for me. I very much look forward to serving those people and being involved with our chaplains in bringing Christ to them."
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Mgr Richard Moth on his new role as Catholic Bishop of the Forces (mp3)