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LONDON (CNS) — An English
cardinal said he was delighted by the appointment of Theresa May as Britain’s
new prime minister because of the commitment she has shown in the fight against
human trafficking.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of
Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, made
his comments in a letter of congratulations to May, who took over as
leader of the ruling Conservative Party July 13 after David Cameron formally
resigned.
The cardinal reminded May, who has served
as British home secretary since 2010, of her attendance at the Vatican in April
2014 for the launch of the Santa Marta Group, an initiative launched by Pope
Francis to help the victims of the human trafficking.
“This is a clear indication
not only of your determination to use high political office for the protection
of some of the world’s most vulnerable people but also of your willingness to
work with the Catholic Church at its highest levels,” the cardinal said in
the letter, released to the media July 12.
“I am personally delighted
at your appointment,” said Cardinal Nichols.
“I know from the work we
have done together that you have so many qualities to bring to the service of
our countries at this time,” he wrote. “I appreciate the maturity of
judgment, the steely resolve, the sense of justice and the personal integrity
and warmth you have always shown.”
The cardinal added: “As you
take up this new and demanding office of prime minister, I assure you of my
personal support, and I look forward to working with you across a wide range of
issues in service of the common good.”
May, 59, emerged as the favorite
candidate to succeed Cameron, who announced his resignation after a June 23
referendum in which Britons voted to leave the European Union.
After Andrea Leadsom, her
closest rival, withdrew from the race July 11, the Conservative Party announced
May would become the first female prime minister since Margaret Thatcher, also
a Conservative Party member, stepped down in 1990.
Cameron offered his resignation
to Queen Elizabeth II and, according to protocol, the queen summoned May to Buckingham Palace and invited her to form a new
government July 13.
May had been a supporter of the
campaign to keep Britain within the European Union but has indicated that she
intends to honor the wishes of the British people and to take the country out
of the bloc by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
“Brexit means Brexit — and
we’re going to make a success of it,” she said, referring to the termed
coined to refer to Britain leaving the EU.
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