THE new bishop of Arundel and Brighton says he plans to ‘listen for while’ and get to know the diocese better once he starts his new role next week.

Bishop Richard Moth is due to be installed as the fifth bishop of the diocese on Thursday (May 28) at Arundel Cathedral in a ceremony expected to be attended by more than 600 people. He replaces Kieran Conry who resigned in October saying he had broken his vow of celibacy and after details of his close relationship with a married woman were published in a national newspaper. He denied any sexual relationship with her.

Bishop Richard said: ‘I am looking forward to getting around and meeting everybody, getting a feel for everything…The key thing is to listen for a while.’ Acknowledging there was a need for more priests, he added: “It is key for any bishop…For me it applies across the board and also involves supporting marriage, the religious life and fostering people who think God is calling them to a single life.”

The 56-year-old will step down as bishop of the armed forces when he takes up his new role on Thursday. He has also worked as a canon lawyer and in marriage tribunals, the process of applying for annulments through the Church.

His said he had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the welcome he has received, since his appointment was announced, adding: “I have been made extremely welcome.”

Bishop Richard he was looking forward to celebrating in July the diocese’s 50th jubilee, and rejected the idea that civilian society does not have as much time for religion or religious values.

He said: “I tend to feel, in the grand scheme of things, that there is a recognition of the value of religious life, even if that is something people cannot articulate. People are still searching for something.”

More than 600 people are expected to attend his installation ceremony, including dignitaries and representatives from every parish and Catholic school in the diocese.

A Diocesan spokesman said: “After a period without a bishop it will be a day of great joy to welcome Bishop Richard Moth as our new bishop.

“We will once again be fully the Catholic Church gathered around our bishop and we can once more look to the future with confidence. It is a time of new beginnings for the Diocese.”

Anyone who wishes to meet Bishop Richard him can join him at the Amex Stadium in Falmer, near Brighton on Sunday July 5 for the festival to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese.

Background

Bishop Richard was born in Chingola, Zambia on 1958. He was brought up in Kent and, after educated at The Judd School, Tonbridge.

He was ordained Priest on June 3 1982, and served as assistant priest at St. Bede’s, Clapham Park, before studying Canon Law at St. Paul University, Ottawa.

In 1987 he was appointed assistant priest at St. Saviour’s, Lewisham, and also served as an Territorial Army chaplain.

From 1992 until 2001, he was Private Secretary to Archbishop Michael Bowen and President of the Interdiocesan Tribunal of Second Instance of Southwark and Vocations Director. In 2001 he was appointed Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese.