The most senior Catholic churchman in England and Wales has been appointed to temporarily lead the Diocese of Northampton after its bishop, David Oakley, was charged with rape. Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth will serve as Apostolic Administrator, a role confirmed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) on Tuesday, June 30.
Bishop Oakley charged with rape
David Oakley, 70, who was born in Stourbridge, faces two counts of raping a female under 16. The charges follow an investigation into “non-recent” allegations. He was appointed Bishop of Northampton in 2020 but was withdrawn from public ministry after his arrest last year. Oakley is due to appear before magistrates in Cannock on August 14.
Archbishop Moth takes temporary role
The CBCEW announced that Pope Leo XIV had appointed Archbishop Moth as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton. A statement explained: “This is a temporary role, by which the Holy See ensures that the pastoral governance of a diocese will continue when it is not possible for a diocesan bishop to exercise his office. Therefore, the governance of the Diocese of Northampton is now canonically entrusted to Archbishop Moth.”
Archbishop Moth said: “I am humbled by the trust which His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has placed in me by assigning me this mission as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton, in addition to my ministry as the Archbishop of Westminster. I ask those whom I am called to serve to pray for me, that the Lord will continue to give me His spiritual guidance and wisdom needed to fulfil these duties.”
Impact on the diocese
The CBCEW confirmed that Archbishop Moth will continue to live and work at Archbishop’s House in Westminster, London, while providing support to the people and clergy of the Northampton Diocese. The temporary arrangement ensures pastoral continuity during Oakley’s legal proceedings.
