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Vincent Nichols: enigmatic archbishop stepping into pope's inner circle Vincent Nichols: enigmatic archbishop stepping into pope's inner circle
(about 1 hour later)
Almost five years after he was appointed spiritual leader of England and Wales's four million baptised Roman Catholics, and a mere three days before Pope Francis elevates him to the second highest office in the church by handing him a red cardinal's hat and ring in Rome, Archbishop Vincent Nichols remains an enigmatic and occasionally controversial figure.Almost five years after he was appointed spiritual leader of England and Wales's four million baptised Roman Catholics, and a mere three days before Pope Francis elevates him to the second highest office in the church by handing him a red cardinal's hat and ring in Rome, Archbishop Vincent Nichols remains an enigmatic and occasionally controversial figure.
While he may lack the high profile of the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Nichols has shown in the past few days that he is not afraid to speak out when he feels compelled to do so.While he may lack the high profile of the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Nichols has shown in the past few days that he is not afraid to speak out when he feels compelled to do so.
, he renewed his condemnation of the government's welfare cuts and challenged politicians to show true leadership by recognising the benefits of immigration rather than spinning a discourse "based on fear". On Tuesday, he renewed his condemnation of the government's welfare cuts and challenged politicians to show true leadership by recognising the benefits of immigration rather than spinning a discourse "based on fear".
Although last week's political sortie – to denounce changes to the welfare system as "punitive", and their effects as a "disgrace" in a country as rich as Britain – was the most widely-reported intervention he has made, it is far from the first.Although last week's political sortie – to denounce changes to the welfare system as "punitive", and their effects as a "disgrace" in a country as rich as Britain – was the most widely-reported intervention he has made, it is far from the first.
Hours before he was installed as archbishop of Westminster in 2009, Nichols was accused of spouting "the verbiage of unreason" after claiming that it had taken courage for Irish priests and nuns who had abused children to "face the facts from their past".Hours before he was installed as archbishop of Westminster in 2009, Nichols was accused of spouting "the verbiage of unreason" after claiming that it had taken courage for Irish priests and nuns who had abused children to "face the facts from their past".
The following year, the archbishop infuriated some conservative Catholics by coming to the defence of the fortnightly Soho masses for gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics.The following year, the archbishop infuriated some conservative Catholics by coming to the defence of the fortnightly Soho masses for gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics.
Those who had campaigned – often bitterly – for an end to the masses were left in no doubt as to the strength of Nichols's feelings on the matter. "Anybody from the outside who is trying to cast a judgment on the people who come forward for communion really ought to learn to hold their tongue," he said at the time.Those who had campaigned – often bitterly – for an end to the masses were left in no doubt as to the strength of Nichols's feelings on the matter. "Anybody from the outside who is trying to cast a judgment on the people who come forward for communion really ought to learn to hold their tongue," he said at the time.
The response his stance drew from some quarters was equally unequivocal. "This bishop who wants us to hold our tongues rather than bear witness to the Gospel of Christ would appear to be a proverbial wolf with a mitre and crozier," wrote one poster on the Catholic Herald website. Another went somewhat further: "It is very hard now, after years of form … not to come to the conclusion that Vincent Nichols is in fact a fifth columnist on a mission to undermine and if it were possible, even destroy Catholicism as we know it."The response his stance drew from some quarters was equally unequivocal. "This bishop who wants us to hold our tongues rather than bear witness to the Gospel of Christ would appear to be a proverbial wolf with a mitre and crozier," wrote one poster on the Catholic Herald website. Another went somewhat further: "It is very hard now, after years of form … not to come to the conclusion that Vincent Nichols is in fact a fifth columnist on a mission to undermine and if it were possible, even destroy Catholicism as we know it."
Then, at the end of last year, Nichols weighed in once more, describing the government's pursuit of immigration targets as "inhumane", and warning that the rules preventing the foreign spouses of UK citizens settling in the country risked undermining marriages and splitting up families.Then, at the end of last year, Nichols weighed in once more, describing the government's pursuit of immigration targets as "inhumane", and warning that the rules preventing the foreign spouses of UK citizens settling in the country risked undermining marriages and splitting up families.
But it is the 68-year-old cardinal-designate's recent interview with the Telegraph – which ran exactly a week before he is due to be created a prince of the church in Rome – that has seized the headlines and helped fix him in the public and political consciousness. It also elicited a fantastically sniffy response from a source close to the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, who told the paper: "He's entitled to his own opinion but there are some parts where he is just wrong …"But it is the 68-year-old cardinal-designate's recent interview with the Telegraph – which ran exactly a week before he is due to be created a prince of the church in Rome – that has seized the headlines and helped fix him in the public and political consciousness. It also elicited a fantastically sniffy response from a source close to the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, who told the paper: "He's entitled to his own opinion but there are some parts where he is just wrong …"
Yesterday, he returned to the theme, saying he had been inundated with messages of support after highlighting the consequences of the government's welfare reforms. He said it was his "privilege to put them into the public arena".Yesterday, he returned to the theme, saying he had been inundated with messages of support after highlighting the consequences of the government's welfare reforms. He said it was his "privilege to put them into the public arena".
Nichols's sense of acting as a privileged megaphone for the meek and the mute, the marginalised and the victimised, is likely only to be enhanced by his impending promotion.Nichols's sense of acting as a privileged megaphone for the meek and the mute, the marginalised and the victimised, is likely only to be enhanced by his impending promotion.
"Being a cardinal will be a help to him because he'll have a more authoritative voice: a cardinal is close to other cardinals and close to the pope," says Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, his predecessor as archbishop of Westminster."Being a cardinal will be a help to him because he'll have a more authoritative voice: a cardinal is close to other cardinals and close to the pope," says Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, his predecessor as archbishop of Westminster.
"I think we'll have to wait and see but he's already spoken out on many things. Being a cardinal gives him – I was going to say better media space – [the chance] to speak out on matters that concern the church and society.""I think we'll have to wait and see but he's already spoken out on many things. Being a cardinal gives him – I was going to say better media space – [the chance] to speak out on matters that concern the church and society."
At a pre-consistory press conference at Archbishop's House behind Westminster cathedral yesterday, Nichols was happy to elaborate on two other goals: to stop politicians stirring fears over the effects of immigration and to ensure that the business community realises it is part of a wider society.At a pre-consistory press conference at Archbishop's House behind Westminster cathedral yesterday, Nichols was happy to elaborate on two other goals: to stop politicians stirring fears over the effects of immigration and to ensure that the business community realises it is part of a wider society.
An early morning tube journey or a visit to an NHS hospital, reflected Nichols in his soft, Merseyside tones, offered ample proof of the contribution made by immigrant communities to the UK.An early morning tube journey or a visit to an NHS hospital, reflected Nichols in his soft, Merseyside tones, offered ample proof of the contribution made by immigrant communities to the UK.
"I think the idea that immigrants are a net drain on our resources is false," he said. "We should not have a discourse about immigration which is based on fear. And I think it's – quite frankly – a lack of political leadership if we fashion a debate around fear.""I think the idea that immigrants are a net drain on our resources is false," he said. "We should not have a discourse about immigration which is based on fear. And I think it's – quite frankly – a lack of political leadership if we fashion a debate around fear."
Businesses, he went on, had a similar duty to act sensibly and responsibly and to understand that they operated "almost by way of a mutual consent" with society.Businesses, he went on, had a similar duty to act sensibly and responsibly and to understand that they operated "almost by way of a mutual consent" with society.
"It's not enough for a business to ask, 'Is this legal? Is it profitable? Then we'll do it'," he said."It's not enough for a business to ask, 'Is this legal? Is it profitable? Then we'll do it'," he said.
"Its sense of purpose must be to see itself located as an important player and contributor to a wider society … Good businesses know that a business will not survive in a broken society, so some business leaders actually speak the language that it is part of their role to help repair society.""Its sense of purpose must be to see itself located as an important player and contributor to a wider society … Good businesses know that a business will not survive in a broken society, so some business leaders actually speak the language that it is part of their role to help repair society."
Nichols, who was born in Crosby, Merseyside, in 1945, studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained a priest in December 1969. He was appointed general secretary of the bishops' conference in England and Wales in 1984, became auxiliary bishop to Westminster aged just 46 in 1992, and was promoted to archbishop of Birmingham eight years later.Nichols, who was born in Crosby, Merseyside, in 1945, studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained a priest in December 1969. He was appointed general secretary of the bishops' conference in England and Wales in 1984, became auxiliary bishop to Westminster aged just 46 in 1992, and was promoted to archbishop of Birmingham eight years later.
Catherine Pepinster, editor of the Catholic weekly the Tablet, feels that Nichols has been re-energised of late. Perhaps it is the fabled "Pope Francis effect", perhaps simply the confidence that comes with the acquisition of a red biretta. "The Catholic church in this country has long been a church of migrants with its members coming in recent times from Poland, the Philippines and South America. He's hearing from parish priests how policies are affecting them, and he clearly believes it's his duty to be their voice," she said.Catherine Pepinster, editor of the Catholic weekly the Tablet, feels that Nichols has been re-energised of late. Perhaps it is the fabled "Pope Francis effect", perhaps simply the confidence that comes with the acquisition of a red biretta. "The Catholic church in this country has long been a church of migrants with its members coming in recent times from Poland, the Philippines and South America. He's hearing from parish priests how policies are affecting them, and he clearly believes it's his duty to be their voice," she said.
Murphy-O'Connor, who has known Nichols for 30 years, believes that the pope – the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina – will get on very well with the teachers' son from Merseyside. Both pride themselves on their simple lives and are devoted to their respective football teams, San Lorenzo and Liverpool.Murphy-O'Connor, who has known Nichols for 30 years, believes that the pope – the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina – will get on very well with the teachers' son from Merseyside. Both pride themselves on their simple lives and are devoted to their respective football teams, San Lorenzo and Liverpool.
As well as making Nichols a cardinal, says Murphy-O'Connor, Francis has also appointed him to the powerful congregation for bishops. The new pope recently revamped the congregation, removing the conservative US cardinal Raymond Burke – an outspoken opponent of abortion and gay marriage – in a move that one Vatican expert called a "tectonic shift" in governance.As well as making Nichols a cardinal, says Murphy-O'Connor, Francis has also appointed him to the powerful congregation for bishops. The new pope recently revamped the congregation, removing the conservative US cardinal Raymond Burke – an outspoken opponent of abortion and gay marriage – in a move that one Vatican expert called a "tectonic shift" in governance.
"I think that particular appointment, to that crucial congregation, is an indication that he wants to have Vincent Nichols's voice there," says Murphy-O'Connor. "He has shaken up that particular congregation and brought other people on to it as well, whose voices he wants to hear, and who have a good influence on the bishops.""I think that particular appointment, to that crucial congregation, is an indication that he wants to have Vincent Nichols's voice there," says Murphy-O'Connor. "He has shaken up that particular congregation and brought other people on to it as well, whose voices he wants to hear, and who have a good influence on the bishops."
Mark Dowd, chair of LGBT Catholics Westminster, also feels that Nichols and Francis are kindred spirits. The latter's famous words to journalists on a plane back from Brazil – "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?" – appear to chime harmoniously with the former's pastoral work.Mark Dowd, chair of LGBT Catholics Westminster, also feels that Nichols and Francis are kindred spirits. The latter's famous words to journalists on a plane back from Brazil – "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?" – appear to chime harmoniously with the former's pastoral work.
Dowd says that Nichols's commitment to inclusivity has paid dividends under the leadership of the new pontiff.Dowd says that Nichols's commitment to inclusivity has paid dividends under the leadership of the new pontiff.
"Since Francis has come in – and because of all the stories of his words on the flight back from Brazil, the way he's engaged with letters sent directly to Rome and to the Vatican, and the way he's been engaging with individuals from LGBT communities – I think in a sense there's a very different kind of atmosphere around at the moment," he said."Since Francis has come in – and because of all the stories of his words on the flight back from Brazil, the way he's engaged with letters sent directly to Rome and to the Vatican, and the way he's been engaging with individuals from LGBT communities – I think in a sense there's a very different kind of atmosphere around at the moment," he said.
"To be honest, [Nichols] is in a very nice position now because of Pope Francis and because of a lot of the outreach and the risks he's taken in the past by being very positive and accommodating with us - particularly the famous "hold their tongue" interview; people will never forget that."But despite the liberal rapture that has greeted Francis's first year as pope, and despite Nichols's efforts to make the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales a more inclusive entity, the obvious fact remains that both men are at the very top of an institution that opposes abortion, same-sex marriage and the ordination of women as priests."To be honest, [Nichols] is in a very nice position now because of Pope Francis and because of a lot of the outreach and the risks he's taken in the past by being very positive and accommodating with us - particularly the famous "hold their tongue" interview; people will never forget that."But despite the liberal rapture that has greeted Francis's first year as pope, and despite Nichols's efforts to make the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales a more inclusive entity, the obvious fact remains that both men are at the very top of an institution that opposes abortion, same-sex marriage and the ordination of women as priests.
Nichols's task is to find a way to explain and defend his beliefs to a country that disagrees with many of them.Nichols's task is to find a way to explain and defend his beliefs to a country that disagrees with many of them.
"One challenge is to make sure that the Christian voice in this country is not privatised; that in its relationship with society, Christianity is free to say what it believes in and is not put on the periphery and privatised in the way that some people would rather like it to be," says Murphy-O'Connor. "It's very important that the Christian voice in this country is heard and that we're free to do it.""One challenge is to make sure that the Christian voice in this country is not privatised; that in its relationship with society, Christianity is free to say what it believes in and is not put on the periphery and privatised in the way that some people would rather like it to be," says Murphy-O'Connor. "It's very important that the Christian voice in this country is heard and that we're free to do it."
What precise effect Nichols's red hat will have on the mind and mouth beneath it is anyone's guess.What precise effect Nichols's red hat will have on the mind and mouth beneath it is anyone's guess.