Bishop Bernard Longley being 'talked up' for Westminster

Bishop Bernard Longley is being talked about with growing seriousness in Rome as a possible successor to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor at Westminster. No decision is imminent. Bishop Longley, 53, an auxiliary in Westminster, is not on the terna.

The other outside possibility is Father Allan White OP, former English provincial of the Dominicans and tipped as the next worldwide head of the order, and currently in Rome working in the Curia. The Congregation for Bishops is just starting to look at Westminster, having chosen New York and Rio de Janeiro. I've no idea who's got Rio but Archbishop Timothy Dolan appears to be the choice for New York.

This all comes in a rather complicated context. For just a hint of what this might involve, see Damian's Holy Smoke blog on The Tablet's article by Elena Curti attacking traditionalist priest Father Tim Finigan. Father Tim's own response to Elena's article is here.

For myself, I would simply be over the moon, in heaven or at least in some other divine circle of happiness if either Father Allan or Bishop Bernard were chosen for Westminster, and of the two it seems Bishop Bernard is the more likely. The favourites, Archbishops Smith and Nichols, might still on balance be probable but I understand that they are in danger of 'cancelling each other out' in early discussions. This is allowing these other two new names to move up from the outside. No decision is expected before mid-March, though, so anything could still happen.

Father Allan I once spent a fortnight with in Israel, 15 years ago or more, courtesy of a CCJ trip, when he was a young, fiercely intelligent and devout young friar. Read a bit more about him here. (Interestingly, a young Father Peter Smith was on the same trip. Of him I thought at the time, 'If only a chatty, personable, smokey type like you could become a bishop, but it will never happen, you're far too normal!') Not that Father Allan wasn't normal of course but I was slightly nervous of him at first, fearful that my own dismal ignorance about so many things including his own Blackfriars in Oxford would be exposed. And I am sure it was anyway, before I even opened my mouth. But I will never forget that formative pilgrimage around so many of the Jewish and Christian holy sites, and his patience in explaining to me the mysteries of faith associated with each of the sites as we spent time there, thinking, praying, talking.

And dare I say this? If he were chosen, the Catholic church would have in England a most telegenic Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. This is an attribute not to be under-estimated in the modern era. Read some of his sermons here.

But Longley seems more likely, simply because the Dominicans want Father Allan for themselves.

These are the adjectives being used in Rome in talk of Bishop Longley, whose only disadvantage is that he's never been a diocesan. 'But then neither was Basil Hume,' the Cardinals are murmuring in response. Bishop Longley is said to be 'mild-mannered, consensual, faithful to Rome, humble, pastorally skilled, of great depth, huge ability, diplomatic, conservative.'

In Oxbridge circles he's spoken of as, 'Witty, donnish, posh, terribly nice, far too low-profile, traditional.'

Sounds like the perfect British cardinal doesn't he? Aah we can only pray.

The fact that he's not 'in the frame' at all is working in his favour. Interestingly, one leading Westminster source said three years ago: 'Bernard Longley will be Archbishop of Westminster one day.' But the same source has also threatened death to journalists who print Longley's name - in case it ruins his chances.

From a journalist's point of view, he is known as someone who is relatively accessible, reliable and worthy of immense respect.

Interestingly, Paddy Power have closed their book on the succession after a flurry of bets was placed on another favourite Bishop Malcolm McMahon. If it were open I would be strongly tempted to put a fiver on Bishop Longley. Good for my soul, but I fear not for my bank balance, that it's not.