Westminster: Vatican appointment for Mgr Mark Langham

Mgr Mark Langham has been appointed to the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Until May 2008, Mgr Mark Langham was the Administrator of Westminster Cathedral, a position he held for seven years.

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is headed by Cardinal Walter Kasper, and Mgr Langham will work as secretary to the Anglican and Methodist dialogues. He will be part of the Catholic delegation attending the Lambeth Conference in July, and will formally take up his Rome based post in September.

Mgr Langham said: "I am honoured to be appointed to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and to have the opportunity to serve the Church in this important work. Never has it been more important to dialogue and witness to our faith with other Communions, and I will be happy to build upon the warm relations I have enjoyed with Anglicans and Methodists during my time at Westminster Cathedral. "

"It has been an immense privilege to serve as Administrator of Westminster Cathedral for the last seven years," continued Mgr Langham.

"In that time, I have come to understand ever more deeply that the Cathedral is not simply a historic building, but an effective instrument in spreading the Gospel and sustaining the Church. The Administrator faces the considerable challenge of balancing the many aspects of the Cathedral: its sublime music and art, its faithful worship and sacramental life, its important role as a Catholic presence on the national and ecumenical scene. However, above all these things, Westminster Cathedral remains a house of God, a place where prayer comes naturally."

"I am grateful for the considerable support I have received from parishioners and visitors to the Cathedral, and from the Cardinal and Bishops. I am delighted that Canon Christopher Tuckwell will succeed me as Administrator, bringing his considerable wisdom, vision and generosity to this great post."

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said: "I am extremely grateful to Mgr Mark Langham for his devoted service to Westminster Cathedral as Administrator over the past seven years. We are all indebted to him for his hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. I warmly congratulate him on his appointment to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, I can think of no one better suited to the role and my thoughts, prayers and very best wishes are with him as he prepares to undertake his new responsibilities."

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is entrusted with the promotion, within the Catholic Church, of an authentic ecumenical spirit and at the same time, the Pontifical Council also aims to develop dialogue and collaboration with the other Churches and World Communions.