16.05.2023 Views

Southwark Report Internals final single

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

IMPACT<br />

REPORT<br />

Stella Maris, to see how they use the resources received from<br />

our Archdiocese to such great effect, each in their own way<br />

revealing the loving face of the Lord Jesus to those most in<br />

need.<br />

Our support for others is made possible through the<br />

work of the Archdiocesan Fundraising team who assist<br />

parishes not only to remain financially stable, with a range<br />

of resources and ongoing assistance, but who facilitate the<br />

means whereby parishes can also support outward looking<br />

initiatives. One of these is the Archbishop’s Appeal. Launched<br />

in November 2022, it has a three-pronged rationale:<br />

1. to strengthen the formation of young people in their<br />

Catholic faith within our schools and parishes, enhancing<br />

the faith-life of parishioners, supporting the work of parish<br />

catechists and the faith journeys of new Catholics - all of<br />

which will serve to enable us to become an ever more<br />

evangelising and missionary Archdiocese;<br />

2. to care for sick and retired priests in their old age and ill<br />

health, as well as supporting the ongoing formation of our<br />

priests and deacons, and the formation of seminarians and<br />

deacons;<br />

3. to put our faith into action by showing compassionate and<br />

active service in the world around us through love for all<br />

people, the protection of human dignity, and respect for the<br />

inter-connectedness of our world and common home by<br />

supporting social outreach projects in parishes and schools.<br />

Yet another piece of good news, which reveals a faith fruitful<br />

in good works, is the creation of our Commission for Racial<br />

Justice and Cultural Inclusion. Although inaugurated in 2021,<br />

this Commission, something of a flagship, has been listening<br />

to, and learning from the experiences of our parishioners, so<br />

as to ensure our Archdiocese remains a safe space for racial<br />

justice engagement and cultural inclusion awareness, where<br />

there is no place for racism, in both our schools and pupils.<br />

In 2022 July the Archdiocese of <strong>Southwark</strong> welcomed three<br />

new priests, and one more in October. We continue to<br />

receive a number of vocation enquiries and Fr Paul Kyne,<br />

our Vocations Director, has planned a number of initiatives<br />

to assist and encourage those who may feel called to<br />

priesthood. Likewise, our Diaconal Formation Team have<br />

been working collaboratively with fellow deacons, and their<br />

wives, to ensure permanent deacons are fully supported in<br />

their ministries within the Archdiocese.<br />

This year has also seen several changes regarding governance<br />

within the Archdiocese. I am grateful to all those who have<br />

assisted over the past three years. Mgr Matthew Dickens, has<br />

stepped down as Vicar General and Chancellor after more<br />

than ten years of service, In June 2022 Fr Joe O’Connor,<br />

who has been my Vicar for Sick and Retired Clergy, retired,<br />

and Fr Jim Hurley also retired as Episcopal Vicar for<br />

Religious: we were subsequently most saddened<br />

to lose him to ill-health. I am immensely grateful to<br />

them all for their fidelity and loving service to those in<br />

their charge, as well as my own appreciation for their<br />

support. I’m also grateful to those who will be taking<br />

up new roles, most notably Mgr Gerry Ewing as Vicar<br />

General and Moderator of the Curia, Canon Gerard<br />

Bradley and Canon Victor Darlington, who are the new<br />

area Episcopal Vicars for the south west and south<br />

east pastoral areas respectively, and Deacon Michael<br />

Kennedy as Chancellor.<br />

This is just an overview of some of the work taking<br />

place in our parishes, schools, chaplaincies, and<br />

agencies. There are so many opportunities to engage<br />

with and learn about our faith, such the online<br />

Evangelium course for those interested in becoming<br />

Catholic, the hybrid services of the Marriage and<br />

Family Life team, supporting marriage and those<br />

who are bereaved, the increasing number of<br />

pilgrimages and retreats and the excellent work of our<br />

Safeguarding Team in keeping the vulnerable in our<br />

community safe.<br />

I am profoundly grateful to each and every one of you<br />

for the part you play in the life of our Archdiocese. I<br />

encourage you to recall Pope Francis’ invitation to the<br />

whole Church, that we reflect on how we might grow<br />

together in communion and deepen our participation<br />

in the life of the Church as, guided by the Holy Spirit,<br />

we become more effective missionary disciples in the<br />

world. May we be encouraged to continue placing our<br />

hope in the Lord Jesus, and may we continue to listen<br />

and discern God’s will in his service and in service to<br />

each other<br />

With the assurance of my prayers and blessing<br />

Yours sincerely in Christ<br />

Archbishop John Wilson<br />

Metropolitan Archbishop of <strong>Southwark</strong><br />

Receiving the Ashes outside St George's Cathedral<br />

5

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!