Arthur Roche
Stored: Arthur Roche
| His Eminence Arthur Roche | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Leeds |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 19 July 1975 by Bishop William Gordon Wheeler |
| Consecration: | 10 May 2001 by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Arthur Roche March 6, 1950 Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, England |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | British |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | Domus Mea |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Arthur Roche, born March 6, 1950, is a British Catholic cardinal and Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments since 2021. A key adviser to Pope Francis, he was Bishop of Leeds from 2004 to 2012 and Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship from 2012 to 2021. Elevated to cardinal in 2022, he has overseen liturgical reforms, including restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), drawing both support for aligning with Vatican II and criticism for limiting traditional practices within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]
Born in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, Roche served as a priest in Leeds before rising through Vatican roles. In March 2025, he led a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ health, and following the pope’s death, he resigned as Prefect in April 2025. As one of four British cardinals, he participated in the 2025 papal conclave, with some sources noting his influence due to his Vatican experience and moderate stance, though his liturgical decisions remain controversial.[4][5][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Arthur Roche was born on March 6, 1950 in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, England, to a Catholic family.[1] Educated at local Catholic schools, he developed a deep faith influenced by the Saint John Fisher, a martyr associated with English Catholicism.[7] His upbringing in a working-class community shaped his pastoral approach, emphasizing accessibility and community engagement.[6]
Roche entered St. Alban’s College in Valladolid, Spain, in 1969, where his exposure to Spanish Catholicism broadened his liturgical perspective. His early commitment to the Church was marked by a desire to bridge traditional and modern practices, a theme later evident in his Vatican roles.[7][2]
Education
Roche studied theology at the Jesuit Comillas Pontifical University in Spain, earning a degree in 1974.[1] He later obtained a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1991, focusing on sacramental theology.[7] His education emphasized Vatican II’s liturgical reforms, shaping his moderate theological stance.[6]
His time in Rome exposed him to global Catholicism, reinforcing his commitment to a unified liturgy. His fluency in English, Spanish, and Italian aided his later curial roles, particularly in navigating diverse liturgical traditions.[2][4]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 19 July 1975 by Bishop William Gordon Wheeler for the Diocese of Leeds, Roche served as a parish priest and diocesan youth coordinator from 1975 to 1982.[1][8] He was spiritual director of the Venerable English College in Rome from 1982 to 1991 and general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales from 1996 to 2001, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols.[7]
His priesthood balanced pastoral care with administrative roles, earning him a reputation for organization but also criticism for favoring grandeur, a perception noted among some clergy.[7] His early support for Vatican II’s liturgical changes set the stage for his later Vatican appointments.[3]
Bishop
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and titular Bishop of Rusticiana on 12 April 2001 by Pope John Paul II, Roche was consecrated on 10 May 2001 by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.[1][8] He served as Bishop of Leeds from 2004 to 2012, implementing pastoral restructuring amid declining vocations.[1] Named Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and titular Archbishop of Tiburnia in 2012, he became Prefect of the renamed Dicastery in 2021.[9]
Elevated to cardinal on 27 August 2022, he received the deaconry of San Saba.[1] Roche’s tenure as Prefect included issuing decrees like the 2025 inscription of St. Teresa of Calcutta in the Roman Calendar and enforcing TLM restrictions under Traditionis Custodes, sparking debate over liturgical unity versus tradition.[10][3] In March 2025, he led a Rosary for Pope Francis’ health, and after the pope’s death, he resigned as Prefect in April 2025.[4][11] At 75, he participated in the 2025 conclave, with some noting his curial experience as influential.[5]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rusticiana | Titular Bishop | 12 April 2001 | 16 July 2002 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; promoted to Bishop of Leeds |
| Leeds | Bishop | 16 July 2002 | 26 June 2012 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; resigned to join Vatican curia |
| Tiburnia | Titular Archbishop | 26 June 2012 | Present | Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI; elevated to cardinal in 2022 |
Significant events
- Entered St. Alban’s College in Valladolid, Spain, in 1969.[1]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Leeds by Bishop William Gordon Wheeler on 19 July 1975.[1]
- Served as spiritual director of the Venerable English College in Rome from 1982 to 1991.[7]
- Appointed general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in 1996, serving until 2001.[7]
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and titular Bishop of Rusticiana by Pope John Paul II on 12 April 2001, consecrated on 10 May 2001.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Leeds on 16 July 2002, enthroned on 7 April 2004.[1]
- Named Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and titular Archbishop of Tiburnia by Pope Benedict XVI on 26 June 2012.[1]
- Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by Pope Francis on 27 May 2021.[9]
- Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022, with the deaconry of San Saba.[1]
- Led a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ health on 4 March 2025.[4]
- Issued decree inscribing St. Teresa of Calcutta in the General Roman Calendar on 5 September 2025.[10]
- Resigned as Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death.[11]
- Participated as a voting cardinal in the 2025 papal conclave.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Arthur Roche have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Arthur Roche have been identified as of May 2025.
External links
- Arthur Cardinal Roche, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- ROCHE Card. Arthur, Vatican Press Office
- Cardinal Roche entrusts Pope’s health to Mary, Vatican News
- Cardinal Arthur Roche expected to cast vote for next pope, Bradford Telegraph and Argus
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "Arthur Roche". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Roche.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "ROCHE Card. Arthur". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_roche.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Cardinal Arthur Roche, Pope Francis and the drive to delegitimise the Traditional Latin Mass". 2024-03-03. https://yanchepcatholic.org/2024/03/03/cardinal-arthur-roche-pope-francis-and-the-drive-to-delegitimise-the-traditional-latin-mass/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Cardinal Roche entrusts Pope’s health to Mary". 2025-03-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-03/cardinal-roche-rosary-pope-francis-health.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Cardinal Arthur Roche expected to cast vote for next pope". 2025-04-22. https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24278749.cardinal-arthur-roche-expected-cast-vote-next-pope/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Cardinal Arthur Roche – ‘If they only knew that most days I celebrate Mass in Latin’". 2025-03-07. https://thecatholicherald.com/exclusive-interview-cardinal-arthur-roche-if-they-only-knew-that-most-days-i-celebrate-mass-in-latin/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 "Cardinal Arthur Roche". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/arthur-roche.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Arthur Cardinal Roche". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/broche.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Appointment of Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments". 2021-05-27. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/05/27/0327/00743.html.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Cardinal Roche: ‘Beacon of hope’ St. Teresa recalled in liturgical texts". 2025-02-11. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-02/cardinal-roche-st-teresa-calcutta-liturgical-texts.html.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Cardinal Roche resigns as Prefect following Pope Francis’ death". 2025-04-21. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-roche-resigns-as-prefect-following-pope-francis-death.