The former Bishop of Arundel and Brighton has died at the age of 85. He had been ill with cancer.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, served the local Roman Catholic diocese for 23 years from 1977 when he was appointed by Pope Paul VI.
In 2000 he was appointed the tenth Archbishop of Westminster by Pope John Paul II. He took over from Cardinal Basil Hume.
He was made a cardinal the following year alongside the man who would become Pope Francis.
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor became the first Archbishop of Westminster to retire in 2009. All nine of his predecessors died in office.
His successor as the Roman Catholic primate of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said that Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor died peacefully today (Friday 1 September) surrounded by his family and friends.
He drew criticism for the way he handled the case of a child abusing priest, Michael Hill, having moved him to Gatwick. In retirement he spoke of his regret over the case.
As archbishop he ordered reviews to strengthen child protection procedures in the church at a time when a number of allegations of historic abuse had surfaced at home and abroad.
In an obituary, the Diocese of Westminster said: “Aware of the scourge of child abuse and having had personal experience of cases as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, he commissioned Lord Nolan to chair an independent review on child protection in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
“This was a landmark document and led to the establishment of an independent office (COPCA) to oversee the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
“In order to consolidate this work, he also commissioned a review, conducted by Baroness Cumblerledge, which led to the establishment of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service and the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission.
Cormac Murphy-O’Connor was born in Reading in 1932, ordained in 1956 and spent much of his life working to bring the Catholica and Anglican churches closer together.
He was a talented pianist and took a keen interest in sport.
Two years ago he opened Newman College, the £4 million Sixth Form Centre at Cardinal Newman Catholic School, in The Upper Drive, Hove.
Cardinal Nichols praised his infectious laughter and sense of fun and said: “The entire Catholic community and many others will mourn the death of Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.”
