The Rt Rev Arthur Roche has been tipped to become the successor to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor as head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Last week, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor told MPs that his replacement as Archbishop of Westminster could be announced within the next two weeks.

Bishop Roche previously worked with the current Cardinal as an auxiliary bishop. He also has good connections with the Catholic Church in Rome, where he previously attended the English College in Rome before becoming its spiritual director.

According to The Telegraph, Pope Benedict XVI has been impressed by Bishop Roche’s work on the International Commission on English in the Liturgy.

Bishop Roche has, however, been criticised in the past over his decision to close a number of churches in his diocese, even though some of them had congregations of around 200.

Also in the running to be the next cardinal are Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham and Bishop Bernard Longley.

Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor is the first Catholic Cardinal to retire from the post. All other previous holders of the role have died in office.