A MAN brought up in Kirklees is being tipped to head the Catholic Church in Britain.

The Rt Rev Arthur Roche, Bishop of Leeds, was born in Batley and brought up in Dewsbury and is one of the front-runners to succeed the Archbishop of Westminster when he retires.

A proud Yorkshireman, the 59-year-old bishop is one of the most experienced Roman Catholic bishops in England and Wales.

The Archbishop of Westminster today urged Roman Catholics to remain “brave and courageous” in professing the faith as he prepared to step down from his post as leader of Catholics in England and Wales.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor said it was difficult for people to hear and experience the presence of God in a “very secular” society.

He added: “Yet everywhere I go – and I meet people who are not necessarily fellow-Catholic or Christian – they often want to talk to me about the meaning of their life, the hopes they have for themselves and their children”.

The Cardinal has begun a series of “farewell” Masses.

He was made Archbishop of Westminster and leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales in 2000 and elevated to the position of Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001

The Rt Rev Roche has served as general secretary to the bishops conference of England and Wales under three presidents, Cardinal Hume, Archbishop Michael Bowen and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.

He became an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Westminster in 2001 before being appointed coadjutor Bishop of Leeds the following year and then ninth Bishop of Leeds in 2004.

Born in Batley, the Rt Rev Roche was educated in Batley Carr, Dewsbury, and at Christleton Hall, near Chester, before beginning studies for the priesthood in 1969.

The Rt Rev Roche speaks several European languages and has spent time at as spiritual director at the English College in Rome.

He celebrated the funeral Mass at Leeds Cathedral for Jane Tomlinson, who died from cancer after raising more than £1.5m for charity.

The Vatican is expected to make a decision within the next fortnight.

A series of names within the Catholic hierarchy in England and Wales have been the focus of speculation as possible successors alongside other clerics currently based outside the two countries.

Other possibles: Most Rev Vincent Nicholls (Archbishop of Birmingham); Most Rev Peter Smith (Archbishop of Cardiff); Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon (Bishop of Nottingham); and Right Rev Bernard Longley (Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster).