College of Cardinals

Biographical notes

[Updated: 22.02.2014]

Notice: the biographical notes are only a working instrument for the press.

Cardinal Vincent Gerard Nichols, archbishop of Westminster (England) was born in Crosby in the archdiocese of Liverpool on 8 November 1945. After his primary and secondary studies, he entered the Venerable English College in Rome in 1963. He attended the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he obtained his licentiate in theology. Returning to England, he continued his studies at the University of Manchester where he obtained the degree of "Master of Arts" with a thesis on the theology of St. John Fisher.

He was ordained a priest on 21 November 1969.

Back in his diocese, he led a group of priests managing pastoral care for the poor. In Liverpool in 1979, he was appointed as vice-Chancellor of the archdiocese and in the following year, director of the "Upholland Northern Institute". In 1983, he was nominated as general secretary of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

Appointed as titular bishop of Othona and auxiliary of Westminster on 5 November 1991, he was consecrated on 24 January 1992. He was responsible for the pastoral care of the northern area of the archdiocese.

He has participated in several synods in Rome, including those for consecrated life, for Oceania and for Europe. Following the death of the late Cardinal Hume, he was appointed as chief administrator of the archdiocese of Westminster.

On 15 February 2000, he was nominated as metropolitan archbishop of Birmingham.

On 3 April 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as metropolitan archbishop of Westminster (England).

He has served as president of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales since 30 April 2009.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 22 February 2014, of the Title of Santissimo Redentore e Sant’Alfonso in via Merulana.