Richard Moth

Charles Phillip Richard Moth (born 8 July 1958) is a British Roman Catholic prelate, who is serving as the Bishop of the Forces since 25 July 2009. Previously he was Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

Early life

Charles Phillip Richard Moth was born in 1958 in Chingola, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and came to the United Kingdom at the age of two. He was educated at the Judd School and St John's Seminary, Wonersh, before his ordination to the priesthood on 3 July 1982.

Priesthood (1982-2009)

Mgr Moth served as Curate at St Bede's, Clapham Park and as a judge at the Southwark Metropolitan Tribunal before being sent to do further study in Ottawa, gaining a Licentiate and then a Master's in Canon Law. In 1987 he returned to Southwark and was curate at St Saviour's, Lewisham, during which appointment he was also a Territorial Army chaplain, serving with 217 General Hospital RAMC (V). ^{[citation needed]}

In 1992, Archbishop Michael Bowen named him as his Private Secretary, serving concurrently as Vocations Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese. Moth was named a Monsignor to the degree of Papal Chaplain in 1998. In 2001, upon the elevation of the Vicar General, Mgr Canon John Hine, to be an Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, Mgr Moth was named Vicar General and Chancellor of the Archdiocese. He was promoted to be a Prelate of Honour in 2001. ^{[citation needed]}

Episcopate (2009-)

In July 2009 Mgr Moth was appointed Bishop of the Forces by Pope Benedict XVI. He stepped down as Vicar General of Southwark and was succeeded by Mgr. Matthew Dickens in September 2009. He was ordained bishop on 29 September 2009, the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, in Westminster Cathedral. Archbishop Kevin McDonald was principal consecrator, with Archbishop Michael Bowen and Bishop Tom Burns as principal co-consecrators. Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Cardinals Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and Keith O'Brien were present in choir.

References

• Bishop-elect Richard Moth. Archdiocese of Southwark. Retrieved on 12 September 2009.
• Charles Phillip Richard Moth. Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved on 12 September 2009.
• New Bishop of the Forces. Catholic Church in England and Wales. Retrieved on 12 September 2009.
• Bishop Richard Moth. Catholic Church in England and Wales. Retrieved on 12 September 2009.