Bishops’ Conference Update

5 May 2009

Following a recent meeting of the bishops of England and Wales several appointments have been announced, including a new role for Bishop Declan.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop-elect of Westminster, was elected unanimously by acclamation as President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales at the recent plenary meeting in Leeds.

There were also elections for all department chairs of the Bishops’ Conference. Archbishop Peter Smith was elected vice-president of the Bishops’ Conference and retains his role as chairman of the department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, responsible for liaison with the UK government and also social and moral teaching on a domestic level.

Bishop Malcolm McMahon was elected chair of the department for Catholic education and formation, which supports dioceses in providing 2,500 Catholic Schools across England & Wales. This was the post formerly held by Archbishop Nichols.

Archbishop Kevin McDonald remains chair of the department for Dialogue and Unity and Bishop Arthur Roche remains chair of the department of Christian Life and Worship.  Bishop Kieran Conry was elected chair of the department for Evangelisation & Catechesis.

Bishop Michael Evans and Bishop Peter Doyle were also elected onto the Standing Committee, which takes responsibility for Bishops’ Conference decision making between plenary meetings. The Standing Committee is made up of the five metropolitan archbishops, the six departmental chairs and two elected bishops.

Bishop Declan was elected chair of the department for International Affairs.