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Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Part of UK in Holy See

15th January 2014

A new British Cardinal

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The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. Photo: © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Pope Francis was very clear in his letter to the men on his first list of new cardinals since the beginning of his Pontificate. Being a Cardinal, he said, “means neither a promotion, an honour, nor a decoration; it is simply a service”. Simplicity, humility, sobriety and service are the benchmarks for Pope Francis’s cardinals, characteristics historically not always associated with the so-called “Princes of the Church”. I have no doubt that this will suit Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, the first new British cardinal since 2003 and the first from England and Wales since Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor was appointed in 2001.

There have only been 50 English, Welsh and Scottish cardinals created since the 12th century. It is a select and impressive group. They include one Pope (Adrian IV), men of Royal blood (Henry Beaufort in the 15th century, Reginald Pole – who almost became Pope – in the 16th century, and Henry Stuart, Cardinal York and brother of ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’, in the 18th century), saints (St John Fisher, the Blessed John Henry Newman), sinners, and great church and national administrators. Vincent Nichols will be the 11th Archbishop of Westminster (the Catholic Metropolitan of England and Wales) in succession to be elevated to cardinal since the See was created in 1850.

While the Pope has explained that it is not a personal honour, the selection of Archbishop Nichols – alongside his appointment last year to the Congregation for Bishops, the Holy See body responsible for making recommendations to the Pope on Episcopal appointments – is without doubt of great significance for Britain. And it also recognises the personal qualities in Vincent Nichols that the Pope has emphasised since the start of his Pontificate. A man of great pastoral experience, from Liverpool to Birmingham and London; dedicated to the service of his community, relations with other Christian churches and with other faiths; focused on the poor and the vulnerable, and searching for practical answers to their difficulties, be it through strengthening the community engagement of business or ensuring decent living standards for all. The responses of Archbishop Nichols’ fellow Catholic bishops, and of the Archbishop of Canterbury have been warm and heartfelt. Her Majesty’s Government, recognising the importance of the appointment, has also congratulated the new cardinal through the Minister for Faith, Baroness Warsi.

It is an understatement to say that, historically speaking, relations between England and Wales and Scotland on one side, and the Holy See on the other, have had their ups and downs. But the positive contribution of the Catholic Church in Britain to the Holy See, both before the Reformation and in more modern times, has been immense and significant. Cardinal Newman noted in his writings that Rome without a strong British presence lacked something essential. As the British Ambassador accredited to the Holy See – the global governance of the Roman Catholic Church – I cannot but agree! I am delighted to see Pope Francis recognising this in his first list of new Cardinals.

2 comments on “A new British Cardinal

  1. We are delighted with the news of Abp. Vincent Nichols forthcoming elevation by the H. H., Pope Francis to Prince of the Holy Church.

    May the esteemed Archbishop of Westminster continue to enjoy the blessings that he so richly deserves as a shepherd to his people and as an obedient, faithful, and joyful son of Our Heavenly Father.

  2. Indeed, the nomination of these 19 new cardinals will have a significant impact on the future of the Holy See. Hopefully it will revamp a much needed institution and bring it closer to allof us.

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About Nigel Baker

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as…

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy in Havana, Cuba (2003-6) and then as British Ambassador in La Paz, Bolivia (2007-11). In July 2016, Nigel finished his posting, and is currently back in London.

As the first British Ambassador to the Holy See ever to have a blog, Nigel provided a regular window on what the Embassy and the Ambassador does. The blogs covered a wide range of issues, from Royal and Ministerial visits to Diplomacy and Faith, freedom of religion, human trafficking and climate change.

More on Nigel’s career

Nigel was based in London between 1998 and 2003. He spent two years on European Union issues (for the UK 1998 EU Presidency and on European Security and Defence questions), before crossing St James’s Park to work for three years as The Assistant Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. At St James’s Palace, Nigel worked on international issues, including the management of The Prince of Wales’s overseas visits and tours, on the Commonwealth, interfaith issues, the arts and international development.

Nigel spent much of the early part of his FCO career in Central Europe, after an initial stint as Desk Officer for the Maghreb countries in the Near East and North Africa department (1990-91). Between 1992 and 1996, Nigel served in the British embassies in Prague and Bratislava, the latter being created in 1993 after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into the separate Czech and Slovak Republics.

Nigel joined the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in September 1989. Between 1996 and 1998 he took a two year academic sabbatical to research and write about themes in 18th century European history, being based in Verona but also researching in Cambridge, Paris and Naples. The research followed from Nigel’s time as a student at Cambridge (1985-88) where he read history and was awarded a First Class Honours degree, followed by his MA in 1992.

Before joining the Foreign Office, Nigel worked briefly for the Conservative Research Department in London at the time of the 1989 European election campaign.

Nigel married Alexandra (Sasha) in 1997. They have one son, Benjamin, born in Bolivia in September 2008.

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