Pope asks archbishop to stay on after 75th birthday

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Cormac Murphy-O'Connor had offered to step down when he turns 75 next month - in line with church law.

However, Pope Benedict XVI told him he would set the law aside so he could stay on.

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Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has been asked to stay as remain as the Archbisop of Westminster until after his 75th birthday

In a letter to clerics of his Westminster archdiocese, the cardinal said: "The Holy Father has invited me instead to continue in my present pastoral ministry donec aliter provideatur - that is, until he chooses otherwise.

"I am very content to accept the Holy Father's request."

Despite the announcement, the process to select the cardinal's successor is already under way.

Arthur Roche, the Bishop of Leeds, is emerging as one of four frontrunners to lead the nation's 4.3million Catholics.

The favourite for the post is Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Birmingham.

Kevin McDonald, the Archbishop of Southwark, and Peter Smith, the Archbishop of Cardiff, are also said to be under scrutiny from the Vatican.