New Archbishop of Westminster Confronts Catholic Abuse Crisis in First Homily
Archbishop Richard Moth acknowledged the Catholic Church abuse failings in his first homily as the newly installed Archbishop of Westminster.
New Archbishop of Westminster Addresses Catholic Church Abuse Scandal and Calls for Accountability
Archbishop Richard Moth, the newly installed head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has publicly acknowledged the Church's abuse failings and committed to learning from victims of sexual abuse.
Moth was formally installed as the 12th Archbishop of Westminster during a solemn Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, February 14, 2026. He succeeds Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who retired in December at the age of 80 after 16 years in the role.
In his homily, Archbishop Moth did not shy away from the abuse crisis that has plagued the Catholic Church for decades. He acknowledged that the Church's evangelisation efforts had been "adversely impacted" by abuse scandals and safeguarding failures.
Such failure calls for listening to and learning from those who have suffered so grievously.
The Archbishop stated these words before the gathered congregation, pledging to ensure Catholic communities become "places where all are safe."
Beyond addressing the abuse crisis, Moth urged believers to demonstrate boldness in sharing the Gospel while serving others and strengthening Christian witness in public life. He called on the Diocese to "fan into flame the gift of God," reflecting on Saint Paul's exhortation that "God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self control."
Archbishop Moth was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Southwark in 1982. He previously served as Bishop of the Forces and Bishop of Arundel and Brighton before being appointed to Westminster.
Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, attended the installation and expressed her commitment to collaborating with Moth as co presidents of Churches Together in England.
Archbishop Moth Vows Catholic Church Will Learn From Abuse Victims After Westminster Installation
The installation comes at a critical time for the Catholic Church in England and Wales, as safeguarding remains a pressing concern across Christian denominations. Archbishop Moth's willingness to confront the issue directly in his very first homily as Archbishop signals that accountability may be a defining theme of his tenure.
The Crusader's Opinion
The Catholic Church's abuse scandal is one of the greatest betrayals in the history of Christendom. Innocent children were violated by the very men who were supposed to protect their souls. For decades, the institution chose its reputation over the cries of victims. Archbishop Moth's words are a step, but words without action are worthless. Every predator must be exposed. Every cover up must be dismantled. The Church does not belong to bishops or cardinals. It belongs to Christ, and Christ commanded that whoever harms a child, it would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be thrown into the sea. We will hold this Archbishop to his promise. The world is watching.
Take Action
- Report any knowledge of abuse within churches to your local law enforcement and to the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA).
- Support survivors through NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood), which provides resources and support for adult survivors of childhood abuse.
- Demand transparency from your local diocese by writing to your bishop and asking what safeguarding measures are in place. Find your diocese at Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
- Support Christian charities working to protect the vulnerable, including The Shepherd's Shield, which advocates for persecuted and vulnerable Christians worldwide.
- Pray for victims of abuse and for genuine reform within every Christian denomination. Share this story to keep the pressure on Church leadership for real accountability.
