Chief Operating Officer Expand Eric Kirwan is the Chief Operating Officer for the Archdiocese, with effect from Monday 8 March 2021. Currently the Chair of Directors at Holy Family Catholic Multi-Academy Company (MAC) in Warwickshire. Prior to taking up this role he was a successful Chief Executive Officer with experience in both the private and charity sectors. He is a parishioner and church warden at St Francis Catholic Church in Kenilworth and has been active in the parish community for many years. Eric joins the Archdiocese following David Brooks’ retirement from the post. David had held the role since 2018. Prior to his role at the Holy Family MAC, Eric was CEO at Modulex A/S in Denmark for several years. Eric also holds the role of Non Executive Director at Snap Vision, UK. A role held since 2012 at an award-winning visual search and AI company. [email protected]
Communication and Media Expand Caroline Bletso and Faye Fawcett are the Press and Media Relations Officers for the Archdiocese, managed by Gerry Dryden, director of HR and Communications. The team supports parishes and schools in all communication matters and responds to media enquiries. Caroline and Faye are also responsible for managing the Archdiocese website, social media accounts and producing an e-newsletter. The Sower, the diocesan magazine, is available here Between them Caroline and Faye have extensive experience of working in the communications sector. Contact the Communications Team: Caroline Bletso - 074 6467 4630 - [email protected] Faye Fawcett - 078 2378 9457 - [email protected] Gerry Dryden - 074 9643 9043 - [email protected] Also contactable via [email protected]
Fundraising Expand We support parishes and diocesan projects to access funding through grants, trusts and other income generation. Jane Bamber is the Community Development and Fundraising Manager Kevin Baugh is the Funding Officer How can we help your parish? It is our role to support parishes across the whole of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. We are paid for through the Parish Levy, so come at no extra cost to you. We can support you in a number of ways including: Coming out to meet with you and discuss your ideas. Talking over the phone. Identifying funding opportunities for community projects, and other parish activities. Helping to develop funding plans and strategies. Helping you to develop capital projects in conjunction with specialist advice and support from our property team. Helping with funding applications. Speaking to funders on your behalf. Signposting you to expert advice and supporting with partnership working. Providing training at your parish. Supporting you with legacy stewardship. Supporting to develop regular giving campaigns; and community fundraising. Providing you with a range of resources to help you fundraise for your parish. Make grant applications to fund the VAT element of any works carried out on listed churches. Enquiries Contactless Giving Enquiries We have co-ordinated a pilot exercise for Contactless Giving throughout a number of parishes within the Diocese. It has now been decided to review the various learning points from this exercise before adding additional parishes to the scheme. Once we have a better understanding of the benefits (and challenges) which Contactless Giving has delivered, we will then put in place a plan for a much wider “roll-out” across the Archdiocese. In doing this we may look to co-ordinate the operation at Deanery rather than individual parish level, using just one business supplier for the equipment. If you have any contactless giving enquiries, feel free to send your details to [email protected] but please bear with us for the time being. As soon as we are in a position to take this forward, we will get in touch. Project & Grant funding Enquiries If your enquiry relates to building project or site development funding, please contact the Property Team: [email protected] For general fundraising enquiries, please contact Kevin Baugh- [email protected]
HR and Staffing Expand The HR department is led by Gerry Dryden, Human Resources & Communications Director: Email: [email protected]Tel.: 0121 230 6224
Legal Expand Clare O’Brien is the Diocesan Solicitor and helps parishes with legal queries, particularly about property or data protection issues. She also assists any parish which receives a legacy with the necessary legal formalities. Clare is the first port of call for any other legal queries from parishes. She provides legal support to the trustees and to the curial office and assists the Diocesan Education Service with any legal issues they have. Tel: 0121 230 6231 [email protected] Debbie Jones is the Data Compliance Manager. Tel: 0121 230 6271 [email protected]
Marriage Tribunal Expand Birmingham Metropolitan Tribunal Judicial Vicar: The Reverend Joseph P McLoughlin BA STL JCL Assistant: Rev Fr George Grynowski, LLB, Dip LG Address Birmingham Metropolitan Tribunal Cathedral HouseSt Chad’s QueenswayBirminghamB4 6EX Contact Frances Paisley: [email protected] Mary Boylan: [email protected] Trish Kennedy: [email protected] Tina Ault: [email protected]
Planning Dept Expand Reverend Paul O’Connor, BA (Hons), BPL, MRTPIHead of Planning, Archdiocese of Birmingham 0121 230 627007944 803701 [email protected] As a qualified town planner, Deacon Paul can provide advice on how to progress planning matters and can assist parishes when there is proposed development near to them. Where parishes are considering repairs or alterations to listed churches they can gain support and resources from the Historic Churches Committee. Alternatively for repairs or alterations to non-listed churches advice is available from the Art and Architecture Committee. Deacon Paul can provide advice on approvals required and procedure to follow. Deacon Paul can provide advice on burial ground issues, including columbariums.
Property Expand The main role of the property team is to provide advice and guidance for management of parish property. The property team also manages all property held centrally by the Archdiocese. The team can advise you on the upkeep, maintenance and development of parish properties, health and safety compliance to ensure the effective running of buildings for parishes and communities. The department supports with planning, inspections and surveys, lettings, maintenance and refurbishment. Where parishes are considering repairs or alterations to listed churches they can gain support and resources from the Historic Churches Committee. Alternatively for repairs or alterations to non-listed churches advice is available from the Art and Architecture Committee. Contacts Geoff Taylor Head of Property 0121 230 6282 For general advice and issues with the property team. Lewis Massey Property Administrator 0121 230 6221 For general enquiries. (For existing cases please contact the appropriate member of the property team directly) Heidi Davies Senior Surveyor 0121 230 6248 Joan Diamond Senior Surveyor 0121 230 6232 For lettings, sales and acquisitions, title issues, work related leases - rent reviews, renewals etc., boundary disputes, maintenance obligations, rating Council Tax. Tarnia McAlester Surveyor 07717 711 382 For maintenance plans, building maintenance, repairs, advice on Quinquennial Inspections and subsequent Project Management, Accessibility Audits, asbestos and legionella issues. Tom Stockwell Listed Building Support Officer 0121 230 6289 As Tarnia above, for listed churches and associated parish buildings.
Travellers Ministry Expand Barbara Labrosse has been appointed as Traveller Liaison Officer to work alongside Rev Fr Eamon Corduff Barbara can be contacted on:Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07741 900305 Spiritual Support for Travellers and Romanies Introduction
Treasurer's Department (Finance) Expand Often referred to as the Finance Office, this department also includes the Gift Aid team. The department has eight staff and is headed up by Head of Finance, Steve Roche, who has worked for the Archdiocese for over 17 years. The main functions of the department are to produce the consolidated annual accounts, covering the whole of the Archdiocese - including all of its 227 parishes - and to submit Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations claims to HMRC. The team also manages the central curia budgets and accounts, and administers the bulk settlement of the majority of second collections made for other charities by parishes. As part of those functions, staff provide friendly support and advice to parishes and chaplaincies on a wide range of finance based issues. The department provides a centralised payroll function and undertakes internal audit visits. It also administers the OPAS accounts and Gift Aid system used by all parishes and many chaplaincies. The office also acts as a link to the various bulk purchase schemes approved by the Archdiocese, such as IFM for gas, electricity and fuel oil, Toshiba for copiers and Churchmarketplace for many other supplies including computer software. Birmingham Diocesan Trust Financial Statements 2020 Contacts Gift Aid Co-Ordinators: Wendy Cleary and Helen PerryTel: 0121 230 6219 Head of Finance: Steve RocheTel: 0121 230 6220 Mob: 07728 540383 Finance Manager: Sue SimkissTel: 0121 230 6283 Parish Finance Support Manager : Stuart JelfTel: 0121 230 6222 Parish Payroll & Finance Officer: Emma RandleTel: 0121 230 6226 Ledger Clerk: Kerry McKennaTel: 0121 230 6217 Secretary: Tel: 0121 230 6216
Weddings (Office for Marriage) Expand OFFICE FOR MARRIAGE The work of this office is the processing of marriage papers - worldwide - for couples where the Catholic party, at least, is resident within the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The aim is to help and assist priests, deacons and couples in the preparation of marriage documentation. Paperwork is sent to the Office for Marriage from the parishes or chaplaincies, it is processed, recorded, and then forwarded to the parish / diocese of marriage. Please Read: Marriage Office Privacy Policy Contact Detail:e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0121 230 6242 (voicemail facility available) Hours: Tuesday – Friday 09.00-15.00 Frequently Asked Questions Q: What paperwork do I need to submit to the Office for Marriage?A: A fully completed pre-nuptial inquiry form and additional supporting documentation depending on the couple and the type of marriage. See ‘Documents’ section of this site for all relevant paperwork. Q: When should I contact the Office for Marriage?A: For marriages within the Archdiocese please forward documentation as soon as it is completed. Marriages taking place outside the Archdiocese of Birmingham need particular attention so you are asked to submit all documentation as soon as possible. Q: Should I include original documentation?A: Unless requested please only send in photocopies of original documentation. Photocopies of the following are acceptable, Civil notice of marriage (blue papers), all certificates, ie - baptism, marriage, divorce, marriage-prep, dissolution/nullity, death, etc as appropriate. Q: How is permission for a marriage between a Catholic and a baptised Christian obtained?A: In the Archdiocese of Birmingham permission for a mixed marriage is given either by the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage or the Dean, Parish Priest of the Catholic party. Please complete the section relating to mixed marriage in the pre-nuptial inquiry form. Q: How is permission for a marriage for a Catholic and an un-baptised person obtained?A: This is an impediment to marriage. So for validity a dispensation from disparity of cult must be granted by the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: What happens if there is doubt about the baptism of the non-Catholic party?A: Please submit the doubt to the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: Are there any other impediments to marriage?A: Yes, these are listed in the Code of Canon Law (canons 1083-1094). NB: The impediment of prior bond is of Divine Law and applies to all persons. It cannot be dispensed; in other words a person is only free to marry if their previous spouse is deceased or a tribunal has issued a dissolution or annulment of that union. Q: Before whom should the couple marry?A: In accordance with canonical form and for validity a couple must marry before the local ordinary or by the parish priest. With the appropriate delegation a couple you may marry before another priest or deacon provided delegation is granted by the parish priest. To be valid this delegation must be given expressly to a named person indicated on the pre-nuptial inquiry form. The Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage also has competence to grant this delegation if needed. Q: Must couples marry in their parish church?A: Ordinarily marriages are to be celebrated in the parish of the Catholic party. The parish priest can request a dispensation from this canonical form which would enable the couple to marry elsewhere. This dispensation is required for the validity of the marriage. In all circumstances a request for this dispensation is made to the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: Can invalid marriages be rectified? A: A marriage may be invalid because of a defect of consent, form or some other impediment which existed at the time of the marriage. The parish priest can request that such marriages be validated. For validity, such convalidation is granted by the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: Are there extra requirements for marriages outside of the Archdiocese of Birmingham?A: Marriages outside of the Archdiocese require additional information and therefore the pre-nuptial inquiry form, along with supporting documentation (see Documents section) should be sent to the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage as soon as possible. Q: Are there any costs?A: These will be discussed with you by your parish priest. As from 1st April 2015 there will be a levy payable by the couple for documentation presented to the Office for Marriage. The levy is £30 for local (own diocese / E&W conference areas and £50 for all other areas / abroad). The couple are to pay this levy directly to the Parish, which in turn will be debited by BACS transfer accordingly.