Pope Leo has appointed the Archbishop of Westminster to temporarily oversee the Diocese of Northampton following sexual abuse charges being brought against its diocesan bishop.

The Bishop of Northampton, David James Oakley was charged last month with two counts of rape against a girl aged under 16. The 70 year old was arrested last September and is due to appear before magistrates on 14 August.

Most Rev Richard Moth has been appointed as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, a role the Holy See assigns to ensure the pastoral governance of a diocese can continue, when it is not possible for a diocesan bishop to exercise his office.

On hearing of his appointment, Archbishop Richard said: "I am humbled by the trust which His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has placed in me by assigning me this mission as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton, in addition to my ministry as the Archbishop of Westminster.

“I ask those whom I am called to serve to pray for me, that the Lord will continue to give me His spiritual guidance and wisdom needed to fulfil these duties.”

Archbishop Moth will continue to live and work at Archbishop’s House in Westminster, while providing support to the people and clergy of Northampton.

In an earlier statement, the Diocese of Northampton confirmed that charges had been brought against Bishop David following "an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations".

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Staffordshire between February 2000 and February 2002. Bishop David was ordained in 1980 and became Bishop of Northampton in 2020.