Southwark Report 2020_NEW final -Single pages

Introduction by Archbishop John Wilson
Evangelisation and Mission
IN THE YEAR OF THE GOD WHO SPEAKS
“
While walking by the Sea
of Galilee, he saw two
brothers, Simon (who is
called Peter) and Andrew
his brother, casting a net
into the sea, for they were
fishermen. And he said to
them, ‘Follow me, and I
will make you fishers
of men.’” Matthew 4:18-19
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Welcome to the 2020 Annual Report
for the Archdiocese of Southwark.
I want to begin by paying tribute to all
who have laboured tirelessly during the
Covid pandemic, in our parishes and
schools, in our chaplaincies, and across the
departments of the Archdiocese. Thank
you for the outstanding pastoral care and
practical support you have provided. Thank
you, too, to everyone in our parishes and
schools for keeping in touch through livestreamed
liturgies and online learning, and
for putting faith into action by reaching out
to those in need. Parish groups, and our
seminarians, have all played their part in
praying for people and delivering essential
supplies to those who were shielding. To all
of our parishioners who have diligently and
graciously served in healthcare, education,
the emergency services, social care, and in
essential retail; as well as all of those who
have offered themselves to make the lives of
others easier, a heartfelt thank you.
The impact of the Church in a given place is
not confined solely to the work of charitable
action, but is the service which members of
the Body of Christ undertake both in the world
and for the world.
The pandemic has left no one unaffected:
some have lost their lives, some are grieving;
others have experienced isolation, financial
want, or the loss of employment. The
Archdiocese, through its parishes, departments
and schools, has sought to address many of
these issues, though the strain on society
remains marked.
As Christians, we ultimately believe, in both
good times and bad, that knowing the person
of Jesus Christ, the face of God the Father’s
love and mercy, is the supreme benefit
that anyone can have. The Church exists to
make him known, in word and in deed. Over
4