Safeguarding and news updates
The Archdiocese of Southwark welcomes everyone to attend our annual Service of Healing and Hope, for those tthat have been harmed by abuse. The service will be led by Archbishop John Wilson and will be held on the 24th September 2025 at 6.30pm, at St George’s Cathedral.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Mary Jane Crowley
Head of Safeguarding
As part of the audit of the Southwark Safeguarding process, the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA would like to hear from as many people as possible.
If you would like to contribute to this process-please click on the link The public call is on our website now here Do you have information to help our safeguarding inspection in Southwark? And complete the attached survey.
If you are someone who has been harmed by abuse and would like to contribute your feedback to the audit process, please click on the following link-Survivors’ Work With Us
Thank you for your contribution it is greatly welcomed.
Mary Jane Crowley
On 10th June 2025, over 80 Clergy, including Archbishop John Wilson, gathered for their bi-annual face to face training. Various topics were covered including:
- Safeguarding Leadership in our Parishes.
- Pastoral Support for those that have been harmed by abuse
- Safer Recruitment
- Lower-Level concerns
- Professional curiosity
- Unconscious bias
- Blocks to embedding a robust safeguarding culture
The training was engaging and encouraged the clergy to reflect on their ministry and how the archdiocese can continue to work together to ensure that our parishes and communities are safe spaces for all.
Archbishop John has written a Pastoral letter detailing the importance of safeguarding in preparation for Safeguarding Sunday. He writes that “the Church must be a place where all are welcomed with compassion” and highlights “The Church, entrusted with proclaiming the Good News, must be a place where the vulnerable are safe; where the wounded are heard, and where all are welcomed with compassion. The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is not a peripheral issue. It is central to our faithfulness as disciples of the Lord Jesus. It is a sacred responsibility — and one that I, as your Archbishop, carry with deep humility and vigilance.”
Archbishop John also highlights that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility by detailing that “Safeguarding is not the work of a few. It is a shared responsibility for us all. Each of us — clergy, volunteers, parents, parishioners — is called to remain vigilant and informed, and committed to the well-being of every member of our community.”
Safeguarding Sunday aims to inform, support and thank our dedicated Clergy, PSR’s, volunteers and parishioners who work to keep of Parish communities safe and welcoming places for all.
Mary Jane Crowley
Head of Safeguarding
Please follow the link for more details.
The central safeguarding team are pleased to announce that there is now a direct reporting mechanism available via the Archdiocese of Southwark Website.
Anyone who wishes to report a safeguarding concern, allegation or disclosure can click on the below link and will be able to report matters directly to the central Safeguarding team. If your concern is a matter or urgency or someone is at risk of immediate harm, please call the Police via 999 immediately. This reporting function does not have an immediate response and will be seen by the safeguarding team within 1 working day of the concern being reported.
The safeguarding team are unable to process any anonymous reports via this process. All reports that are received through this process, without the referrers contact details included, can not be processed.
If you wish to report a matter anonymously, then this must be done directly to the safeguarding office either by email safeguardingoffice@rcaos.org.uk or 0207 261 1606.
Where a complainant/referrer wishes to remain anonymous, it will be considered at the discretion of the Head of Safeguarding, with reference to the criteria within the Charity Commission or other relevant regulatory guidance. In exercising this discretion, the following will be considered:
- The seriousness of the issue raised
- The credibility of the allegation; and
- Whether the allegation can realistically be investigated from factors or sources other than the complainant
Please see our safeguarding & whistle-blowing policy for further details regarding anonymous reporting.
It is the policy of the Catholic church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased. if you are in any role within the catholic church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office of your diocese or directly to the police.
Mary-Jane Crowley
On 1st March 2025 nearly 100 Parish Safeguarding Representatives gathered at
Chatham Parish for our annual PSR gathering day. This was the first time that the
Gathering day had been held in Kent, as part of our commitment to ensure
accessibility for all our PSR’s.
The day started with a prayer for all those that had been harmed by abuse and then
explored the following topics;
– Update on year’s work
– Audit 2025
– PSR engagement project
– Low level concerns
– Safeguarding/care plans
– Hall Hire
– Safer recruitment
– Reporting concerns
The day also included our Guest speaker-Nikki Dhillon from Safe in Faith who
delivered powerful training on domestic abuse within the context of the
Catholic Church-with the message “God Loves you and wants you to be Safe”.
Further training and information regarding the Diocese response to Domestic Abuse
will be launched shortly.
The day concluded with a Mass celebrated by our Episcopal Vicar Cn John Diver.
It was a really successful day and the safeguarding team are hugely grateful for all
the PSR’s who attended and their continuing hard work and dedication.
We look forward to next year’s event, which will take place in London.
Mary Jane Crowley
Head of Safeguarding
We welcome all our Parish Safeguarding Representatives to attend our annual PSR
gathering day. This year it will be held on Saturday 1st March 2025 at Chatham Parish, Kent.
Personal invites will be sent this week.
The safeguarding team look forward to seeing you all in March.
Mary Jane Crowley
Head of Safeguarding
25th September 2025 6.30pm at St George’s Cathedral.
A beautiful Hymn written specifically for those harmed by abuse was debuted at the Service. The Hymn, “Ribbon’s of Hope” was composed by Peter Rose & Anne Conlon, who we were privileged to have in attendance at the service.
A LoudFence was created by all those present and others who sent their heartfelt messages of solidarity, love and compassion for all those that have suffered abuse. Our LoudFence will remain on display in St George’s Cathedral as a reminder to us all, of the importance of creating safe spaces within our Church communities and Southwark’s commitment to those that have been harmed by all forms of abuse.
Archbishop John Wilson delivered a powerful message in support of those that had been harmed.
25th September 2025 630pm at St George’s Cathedral.
The CSSA has now developed an online mandatory training package for all volunteers that require a DBS check. For access to this training please click on the link and follow the instructions. If you have any questions contact the Safeguarding office or click on the resource centre where there are step-by-step instructions.
On Saturday 24th February 2024 nearly 120 PSR’s gathered at Amigo Hall for their annual PSR gathering day. The day started with a prayer for those who had been harmed by abuse and then numerous important issues that impact the work our volunteers do within their Parishes and communities were discussed. The training covered;
- Yearly update of the work of the safeguarding team
- learnings from Hexham & Newcastle
- Importance of safer recruitment
- GDPR
- New mandatory training for volunteers
- Creating on-line forms.
The day also included a guest speaker-PC Karen Troullides our Faith Officer and Mass celebrated by our Episcopal Vicar for Safeguarding -Cn John Diver.
It was a really successful day and the safeguarding team are hugely grateful for all the PSR’s who attended and the hard work of our hardworking volunteers.
We look forward to next year’s event, which will take place in Kent.
Mary Jane Crowley
Head of Safeguarding
In December 2023, the safeguarding team were honoured to have a meeting with Rev. Andrew Small, from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Archbishop John was also in attendance. We were able to learn about the work of the Commission, its collaboration with survivors and the aims for organisational change to ensure the ongoing safeguarding of our Church. Rev. Small was also keen to hear about the safeguarding work of the Archdiocese. This included the safeguarding teams improvement journey, the audit and the work of our volunteers-particularly our PSR’s and the diverse and complex work of the safeguarding team.
This document is a result of the Archdiocese of Southwark offering to be part of a pilot with the CSSA, the newly formed National Safeguarding body, We are pleased to say that it firmly demonstrates our commitment to maintain and enhance ongoing diocesan safeguarding responsibilities.
A true sanctuary is built on more than just prayer; it is built on a foundation of absolute protection. We believe that spiritual peace can only flourish where trust is earned, the vulnerable are prioritized, and every person is shielded from harm.
Director of Youth
Fr Dermott O’Gorman
Event Coordinator
David Tregidgo
davidtregidgo@rcaos.org.uk / 0203 051 5889
Mission Team and Retreat Coordinator
Lucy Treloar