City's faiths must all work together; CHURCH: Forward-thinking new archbishop: aims to strengthen community links.

Byline: Christina Savvas

THE new Archbishop of Birmingham extended his hand of friendship to multi-faith leaders across the city as he took up his post.

Rev Bernard Longley has been appointed by the Pope and succeeds Archbishop Vincent Nichols in the second most important posting in the Roman Catholic hierarchy of England and Wales.

The appointment, which comes into effect from December 8, comes ahead of a signifi-cant year as the Pope is expected to visit the city in 2010.

One of the new Archbishop's first tasks is likely to be welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to Birmingham for the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in 2010.

Cardinal Newman, who died in 1890, is predicted to become the first English-born saint who was not a martyr since the Reformation.

The new Archbishop, currently Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, said he was delighted to take up the new post.

Archbishop Longley is one of the most popular Roman Catholic Bishops in the UK and known for his geniality but he has also caused some controversy during his time at Westminster.

Two years ago he was criticised for helping organise masses for homosexuals and earlier this year, he said that the Church should not condemn those who commit suicide.

Talking to the Birmingham Mail yesterday, he said: "The Church's position on suicide has not changed - suicide is always seen as a grave sin but our understanding of human nature has developed so that we can see that people in those circumstances are very often affected by mental illness.

"The balance of their own judgment is undermined and the Catholic Church believes that it is only when a person fully understands what they are doing and fully consents to it that it is a sin. We want to bring a note of understanding."

He said the migration of Catholic families had brought renewed strength to parish communities in Birmingham but added that his concern lies with families with a traditional link to the Catholic church who had distanced themselves, particularly the younger generation.

He also said that it was important to strengthen links with the Anglican Church.

"Our relationship with the Church of England and the Anglican Communion is a very important one. Within the life of any church the decisions have been taken and the moving towards the ordination of women clearly has an impact on relations but the resolve is to continue those dialogues and work together - not to let go of the important things which unite us."

Speaking about plans for the Pope to visit Birmingham next year, he said: "The prospect of a papal visit fills everyone with excitement and we will do all we can to encourage that contact with Pope Benedict which strengthens the unity of the church but also encourages us to serve. I think the papal visit would have the effect of emboldening Catholics.

"It is one of the two wonderful things that we are looking forward to next year. The other is the beautification of Cardinal John Henry Newman who has really inspired people in their understanding of the Catholic faith. The two things will be a tremendous blessing."

He added: "I am looking forward to getting to know our own clergy but also the leaders of other faiths and becoming involved with interreligious dialogue.

"I have been living in East London where there is tremendous ethnic diversity which is very much here in Birmingham.

It is a wonderful opportunity to encourage social cohesion."

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Message: Archbisop Bernard Longley has targeted social cohesion and tightening community bonds as his main aim following his appointment in Birmingham.