New Catholic head says lessons have to be learned from abuse failings

The newly installed Archbishop of Westminster has said the Church must learn from victims of sexual abuse.

Archbishop Richard Moth was installed as the brand new head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales on Saturday. 

In his homily, he said the work of evangelisation was “vital” but admitted that this had been “adversely impacted” by past abuse scandals and safeguarding failings.

“Here I’m most aware of each occasion on which members of the Church, or the Church as an entire, have failed, most especially when the vulnerable have been abused,” he said.

“Such failure calls for listening to and learning from those that have suffered so grievously and a continuing commitment to making sure that our communities are places where all are secure of their encounter with Christ and with each other.”

Elsewhere in his homily, he called on believers to have “boldness” moderately than fear in sharing the Gospel, and to be committed to serving others and shining a lightweight in the general public square. 

Moth is the twelfth Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who retired in December on the age of 80 after 16 years in office.

The service was attended by ecumenical guests including the brand new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, who said she looked forward to working along with him as co-presidents of Churches Together in England. 

Welcoming him to his recent post, she said, “I stand here also as one who has recently been confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury and who awaits installation.

“In the months ahead, you and I’ll share a specific responsibility as Presidents of Churches Together in England, and I very much stay up for working with you to deepen our relationships and to strengthen our shared Christian witness.”

Moth was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Southwark in 1982, and later served as Bishop of the Forces and Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.