Pope Appoints Westminster Archbishop to Administer Northampton Diocese After Child Rape Charges Against Sitting Bishop
Richard Moth will serve as apostolic administrator while the diocese manages a rape case involving Bishop David Oakley and safeguarding allegations.
- On Tuesday, June 30, Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton following rape charges against Bishop David Oakley.
- Staffordshire Police charged Oakley with two counts of raping a female under 16, with alleged offenses dating to 2000, after he previously stepped down in October 2025 citing "personal reasons."
- Moth will remain based at Archbishop's House in Westminster while assuming temporary governance of the Northampton diocese, though Oakley retains his title but holds no governing power.
- The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales offered an unreserved apology and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy, noting the charges are "deeply distressing for all."
- Oakley is due to appear at Cannock Magistrates' Court on August 14, as the church's handling of the case has raised questions regarding its adherence to safeguarding procedures and transparency.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Pope appoints Westminster archbishop to administer Northampton diocese after child rape charges against sitting bishop
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster as apostolic administrator of the diocese of Northampton after Northampton’s bishop, David Oakley, was charged by police on two counts of child rape. The management of the case by the Catholic Church in the UK has raised serious questions regarding Church leaders’ adherence to safeguarding procedure and their commitment to transparent governance. Bishop David Oakley stepped down f…
Leo names apostolic administrator after English bishop charged
Pope Leo XIV named an administrator Tuesday to oversee an English diocese after its bishop was charged with the rape of a minor.The episcopal ordination of Bishop David Oakley, held under COVID-19 restrictions at Northampton Cathedral, England, on March 19, 2020. © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.The pope named Archbishop Richard Moth as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Northampton June 30, days after police confirmed that Bishop David Oakley faced …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
