Pope Francis has appointed Mgr Nicholas Hudson as a new auxiliary bishop of Westminster.
Mgr Hudson, former rector of the English College in Rome and parish priest of Sacred Heart in Wimbledon, south-west London, will be consecrated as bishop in Westminster Cathedral on June 4.
He said he was “honoured and humbled” by the appointment, adding: “It is exciting to be a Catholic in this second year of the pontificate of Pope Francis.
“I pray that I might emulate the Holy Father’s radical simplicity and outreach to those on the margins of society and of the Church. Of all the many gifts received as a priest of Southwark most precious has been the privilege of knowing people with severe disabilities, who call us to make a place always for the poor at the heart of the Church,” Mgr Hudson said.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols welcomed the appointment, adding: “Mgr Hudson will bring wide experience and fine personal qualities to our diocese. He has served as a parish priest, as leader of catechetics and, of course, as vice-rector and the rector of the English College in Rome. I know that he will be received enthusiastically on this side of the Thames by both clergy and laity.”
Mgr Hudson grew up in Wimbledon and studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, before training to become a priest.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.