Bishop Roche moves to the Vatican

Bishop Arthur Roche, Bishop of Leeds since 2004, has been appointed secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. This appointment will see him move to Rome and raises him to the office of archbishop.

Bishop Roche said: "I have to confess that I was very surprised and shocked by the news of this appointment. I am sorry to be leaving the Diocese of Leeds with its priests and people whom I have loved very much. I shall miss them enormously."

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said: "It is a great honour for England and Wales that one of our bishops has been given this responsibility in service of the Apostolic See. Bishop Arthur has our full support and prayers as he undertakes this role. We will miss him very much."

During his time in Leeds Bishop Roche has encouraged and supported the work of St Pauls, for which we remain very grateful. We wish him every blessing for the future.