27 June 2012 Last updated at 03:32 ET

Bishop of Leeds 'sorry to be leaving'

The Most Reverend Arthur Roche is moving to a post at the Vatican

The Bishop of Leeds, who has been promoted by Pope Benedict XVI to a senior position in the Vatican, said he is "sorry to be leaving" the diocese.

The Most Reverend Arthur Roche has been made a secretary in the administrative arm of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church in England and Wales said he had been elevated to the title of archbishop at the same time.

The archbishop, 62, said it had been "an enormous privilege" to have served the people in the Diocese of Leeds.

"I was very shocked. It was an enormous surprise. I wasn't expecting anything of that kind, I'm very happy being the Bishop of Leeds and I had nothing other than that beyond my sights," he said.

'Deeply humbled'

The archbishop, who was born in Batley, West Yorkshire, was made Bishop of Leeds eight years ago.

He said: "I am sorry to be leaving the Diocese of Leeds with its priests and people whom I have loved very much. I shall miss them enormously."

The archbishop said he was "deeply humbled" to become Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, a key department within the Roman Curia, the central governing body of the entire Roman Catholic Church.

Archbishop of Westminster and leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, said: "It is a great honour for England and Wales that one of our bishops has been given this responsibility in service of the Apostolic See.

"Bishop Arthur has our full support and prayers as he undertakes this role. We will miss him very much."

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is one of nine congregations within the Roman Curia. It handles the regulation and promotion of the Church's liturgy or worship.