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  1. faqs

Chief Operating Officer

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Eric Kirwan was appointed Chief Operating Officer for the Archdiocese in March 2021.

Prior to taking up this role he was a successful Chief Executive Officer with experience of working in the UK and internationally, including in Scandinavia, Europe and Middle East, Asia and North America.  He has also held the role of Non-Executive Director for an award-winning AI technology company.  

Related to his current position, he is also a Director of The Sower Company, PAS Ltd, the owner of the OPAS Parish Accounting system and The Barberi and Newman Academy Trust.  Immediately prior to joining the Archdiocese he served as Chair of the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Company in Alcester, Warwickshire.

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.  Born in Coventry and educated at St Mary’s (now St Mary’s and St Benedict’s) primary and Cardinal Wiseman Secondary schools in the city, he studied Town Planning at Oxford Brooks University.   

Eric is married to Liz, has a daughter Marie and son Rory, is a keen runner and long-suffering supporter of Coventry City.

[email protected]

Published: 21st March, 2018

Updated: 31st July, 2025

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Reporting a concern

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate attention, call emergency services on 999. If you have other concerns and there is no immediate danger, please contact the Safeguarding Team.

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Responding to your concerns: 

The Safeguarding Team is available Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm and can be contacted via:

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  0121 230 6240

We operate a duty system whereby there is a Safeguarding Advisor available during operating hours to respond to calls. Administrators will take the details of the initial contact and one of our available advisors will call you back as soon as possible.  

Anyone who brings concerns or allegations to the notice of the Church will be responded to sensitively. All concerns and allegations will be addressed using the Church’s national procedures and in a timely manner. 

If you have a concern out of hours that cannot wait the following agencies can be contacted:

Police: either via 999 or 101 or Local Authority children and adult services. Most local authorities run an out-of-hours helpline, details of which can be found on their website. Find out who is your Local Authority

NSPCC:  0808 800 5000, free helpline. Call if you are worried about a child. Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm and at weekends 9am – 6pm. NSPCC helpline

Childline: 0800 1111

16-17 yr olds are legally classed as children and therefore fall within child protection procedures.

Published: 23rd March, 2018

Updated: 24th September, 2024

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Communication and Media

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Caroline Bletso and Faye Fawcett are the Press and Media Relations Officers for the Archdiocese, managed by Deacon Paul O'Connor.

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 former 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]

Deacon Paul O'Connor - 079 4480 3701 - [email protected]

Also contactable via [email protected]

Published: 23rd March, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2024

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Archbishop Bernard Longley

About the Archbishop

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About the Archbishop

Archbishop Bernard Longley was born in Manchester on 5 April, 1955 and was ordained Bishop and appointed as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Westminster, on 24th January 2003.
Archbishop Longley was Head of the Diocesan Pastoral Board and had pastoral responsibilities for the Deaneries of Camden, Hackney, Islington, Marylebone, Tower Hamlets, and Westminster.

Archbishop Bernard Longley studied at Xaverian College and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and New College, Oxford.
He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton on 12th December 1981 at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, and was Assistant Priest at St Joseph’s, Epsom, and Chaplain to Psychiatric Hospitals.

From 1987 to 1996 he was on the staff at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, teaching dogmatic theology.

In 1991, he was appointed Surrey Chairman of the Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Commission for Christian Unity and in 1996 became National Ecumenical Officer at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

In 1999 he was appointed Moderator of the Steering Committee of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and also Assistant General Secretary of Catholic Bishops’ Conference with responsibilities for Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs.

Archbishop Longley authored the Catholic Commentary on the Agreed Joint Statement by the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission – “Growing towards Unity and Mission” (2007).

The Archbishop was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in October 2009 and was installed as the ninth Archbishop of Birmingham on Tuesday 8th December 2009. In 2010 Archbishop Longley was appointed by Pope Benedict as a member of the newly erected Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

In 2011 Pope Benedict appointed the Archbishop as the co-Chairman of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), with oversight of the third phase of Anglican-Catholic dialogue.

Archbishop Bernard is a member of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU) and a member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (DID).

He is also Vice President for the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Chair of the Department for Dialogue and Unity.

Sept 2025: Appointed a consultor to the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, within the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

Contact

Email [email protected]

Jennifer Davies
Archbishop's Secretariat

Archbishop's House
8 Shadwell Street
Birmingham B4 6EY

Email [email protected]

Tel 0121 236 9090
Fax 0121 212 0171

Fr Dominic Cosslett
Archbishop's Secretariat

Archbishop's House
8 Shadwell Street
Birmingham B4 6EY

Email [email protected]
Tel 0121 236 9090
Fax 0121 212 0171

Published: 23rd March, 2018

Updated: 1st October, 2025

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Director of Operations

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Richard Hawkins was appointed Director of Operations for the Archdiocese in April 2025.
 
He brings a wealth of leadership experience with him, having a strong background in operations, strategy, technology, finance and governance across public, charitable and private sectors.
 
Richard's previous roles have included Operations Director at Methodist Ministers Housing Society, where he helped to oversee a £500M housing portfolio and drove strategic development.
 
He is also a former Head of Technology at Red Kite Community Housing, leading cloud-based IT transformations and security enhancements.
 
Richard is very active in his local community. He spent 22 years as a school governor and led a youth and liturgy groups at St Joseph's in Thame, Oxon.
 
Married to Cindy, a teaching assistant at a diocesan school, the couple have two grown-up children.
 
Richard is also the 'proud owner' of a very large collection of ancient IT equipment!
 
[email protected]
0121 230 6230

Published: 24th March, 2018

Updated: 31st July, 2025

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Archbishop Bernard - Homilies and Pastoral Letters

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2026

Pastoral Letter - Fifth Sunday in Lent (21-22 March)

Homily - Chrism Mass, 1 April

Homily - Good Friday, 3 April

Homily - Easter Vigil, 4 April

2025

Homily - Mass for Religious, 1 February

Pastoral Letter - Fifth Sunday of Lent (5-6 April) Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Homily - Palm Sunday, 13 April

Homily - Chrism Mass, 16 April

Homily - Easter Vigil, 19 April

Homily - Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate of Paul Milton, Sunday 13 July

Homily - Ordination to the Priesthood of Fr Gerard Bowen, Saturday 19 July

Homily - ACN #RedWednesday Mass, 19 November

Homily - Civic Mass, Sunday 23 November

Homily - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Monday 8 December


2024

Homily: Rite of Election 18 February 2024

Pastoral Letter - Fifth Sunday in Lent, 16/17 March 2024

Chrism Mass, 27 March 2024

Easter Vigil, 30 March 2024

Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage, 4 May 2024

Ordination of David Bench 20 July 2024

SVP Birmingham Annual Festival Mass, 21 September 2024

Pastoral Letter for Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 21-22 September 2024

Guild of St Stephen, 5 October 2024

Pastoral Letter - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 16/17 November 2024

Homily, Red Wednesday Schools Mass, 20 November 2024

Homily, 50th Anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings Service at St Philip's Cathedral, Thursday 21 November 2024

Homily, Civic Mass on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 24 November 2024

Homily, Ordinations to the Diaconate 14 December 2024

Pastoral Letter - Feast of the Holy Family, 28-29 December 2024


2023

Pastoral Letter Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (21-22 January 2023)

Pastoral Letter for the 4th Sunday of Lent - 18/19 March 2023

Chrism Mass - Wed 5 April

Maundy Thursday - 6 April

Easter Vigil - Sat 8 April

Bishop David McGough Requiem - Thurs 20 April

Pastoral Letter for Fourth Sunday of Easter, Vocations Sunday - 29 April
Video: Recorded at Our Lady of the Wayside, Shirley

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Coronation and launch of LOUDfence), Sunday 7 May

Lourdes Closing Mass for the 2023 Pilgrimage

Civic Mass November 2023

Feast of the Holy Family, 30-31 December 2023

Published: 24th March, 2018

Updated: 7th April, 2026

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Fundraising

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Supporting parishes and diocesan projects to access funding through grants, trusts and other income generation.

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 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

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]

Published: 24th March, 2018

Updated: 7th May, 2025

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HR and Staffing

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Julia Hale, HR & Admin Officer

Tel: 0121 230 6224

Email: [email protected]

Published: 25th March, 2018

Updated: 17th January, 2023

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IT

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IT Manager - Robert Leftwich - 0121 230 6235

IT and Admin Officer - Matthew Puczylowski - 0121 230 6216

Published: 26th March, 2018

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Support for Survivors

The Safeguarding Office is a safe point of contact for survivors of abuse. We are here to help.

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The Archdiocese of Birmingham Safeguarding Team is available on: 0121 230 6240 or by email on: [email protected]

Survivor Support

We support survivors who were abused when they were children and those who have been abused as adults. We recognise that speaking out about abuse can be very difficult and distressing and you may not have felt able to tell anyone before. We are here to support you to share your experiences.

Victim and Survivor Care Charter

Our staff will do all they can to listen to you and support you to find the help you need. You can speak to them without giving your personal details.

The Archdiocese is committed to supporting those who report being harmed and commits to the National Safeguarding Standards:

 “Standard 3: Those that report having suffered harm receive a compassionate, caring and timely response, and are provided with access to appropriate support, advice, and pastoral care.”

Support and a listening ear is available from the Safeguarding Team but we also recognise that people may need/want to access support from other sources, we offer signposting and support to anyone who approaches us. You will be heard, be supported, and have your concerns taken seriously.

Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role at the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.

If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.

Safe Spaces opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am-1pm and Sunday from 1pm-5pm (excluding bank holidays, subject to review).

Tel: 0300 303 1056
Email: [email protected]
LiveChat: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Website: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

Other support agencies

The Survivors Trust The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK 

NAPAC – Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse

Mind -For information for support around abuse  - Guide to support options for abuse - Mind

Rape Crisis England & Wales

Victims' Code - Victim Support

MACSAS Minister & Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors

Survivors Guide from The Isaiah Journey

Making Complaints

If you want to make a complaint about the safeguarding team/service received, or about diocesan post holders or partner organisations, please refer to our Safeguarding Complaints Policy.

To raise any serious concerns about Trustees, employees, volunteers or members of the clergy, or with how the Archdiocese of Birmingham operates, please refer to our Whistleblowing Policy.

Published: 26th March, 2018

Updated: 1st April, 2026

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Bishop David Evans

Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham

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The Reverend Canon David Ernest Charles Evans was born in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

He carried out his studies in preparation for the priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome and was awarded a licentiate in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

On 29 July 1978, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

He subsequently held the following offices: parish vicar at Saint Mary’s, Walsall (1979-1981) and at Saint Aloysius, Oxford (1981-1983); formator and vice-rector at Saint Mary’s College, Oscott, Birmingham (1983-2001); parish priest at Saint Austin’s, Stafford (2001-2006); episcopal vicar for Coventry, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire (2006-2007); parish priest of Saint Theresa’s, Chalbury, Oxon (2007-2012).

Since 2014 he has served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rednal, and since 2019, Episcopal Vicar for Birmingham and Worcester.

He is a member of the Birmingham Metropolitan Chapter, a Judge of the Birmingham Metropolitan Chapter, and a member of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Dialogue and Unity.

He has served on the English Anglican- Roman Catholic Committee and the Bishops’ Conference Committee for Faith and Culture.

Pastoral Areas:

Birmingham Cathedral & South, Birmingham East & North, Kidderminster & Worcester.

Key Responsibilities:

-Affirm & strengthen Catholic life in the Pastoral Area
-Represent the Archbishop locally
-Facilitate initiatives to strengthen and encourage the life of deaneries and parishes
-Carry out formal visitations to parishes
-Celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation

Residence

82 Old Oscott Hill
Kingstanding
Birmingham
B44 9SP

0121 243 1877

[email protected]

Published: 26th March, 2018

Updated: 11th July, 2023

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St Edmund’s Catholic Academy, Wolverhampton - Mathematics Teacher

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Closing Date: March 20, 2018


Teacher of Mathematics


Advert -St Edmunds Teacher of Mathematics
JD Teacher of Mathematics
THE MATHEMATICS FACULTY DESCRIPTION 2018 (3 documents)

Published: 26th March, 2018

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Legal

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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]

Published: 26th March, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2021

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Survivor Forum

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A group of adults with lived experience of faith-related abuse and the reporting process. 

Independent to the Archdiocese they offer insight and guidance to our procedures and policies. 

They offer peer support. It is important to note they are not trained counsellors.

The Archdiocese funds travel expenses for their meetings. Our Survivor Forum meets independently, away from the Church, and offers peer support.

If you would like any more information about the Survivor Forum, please email [email protected]

Published: 27th March, 2018

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Bishop Timothy Menezes

Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham

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Bishop Timothy Menezes

Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham

The Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Timothy Menezes, Dean of St Chad's Cathedral, as a new Auxiliary Bishop to serve the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Bishop Timothy was ordained on Tuesday 16 July 2024.

Bishop Timothy Menezes SLL

•    Born 18 July 1970
•    Formation for the Priesthood at St Mary’s College, Oscott, and the Venerable English College, Rome
•    Ordained Priest at St Dunstan’s, Kings Heath, 22 July 1995
•    1995-96 Further Studies, Rome 
•    1996-98 Assistant Priest, St Michael’s, Wolverhampton
•    1998-2000 Assistant Priest, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch
•    2000-2004 Archbishop’s Secretary
•    2004-11 Parish Priest, St Thomas More, Coventry 
•    2011-19 Vicar General
•    2022-2024. Dean, St Chad’s Cathedral
•    2022-2024. Parish Priest, Sacred Heart and St Margaret Mary, Aston.

Pastoral Areas:

North Staffordshire, Stafford, Lichfield and Walsall and Dudley and Wolverhampton

Key Responsibilities:

-Affirm & strengthen Catholic life in the Pastoral Area
-Represent the Archbishop locally
-Facilitate initiatives to strengthen and encourage the life of deaneries and parishes
-Carry out formal visitations to parishes
-Celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation

Residence:

Flat 3, Aston Hall
Church Lane
Aston-by-Stone
Staffs
ST15 0BJ

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0121 230 6241

Published: 27th March, 2018

Updated: 8th May, 2025

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Bishop Richard Walker

Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham

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Bishop Richard Walker

Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham

The Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Canon Richard Walker, Vicar General, as new Auxiliary Bishop to serve the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Bishop Richard was ordained on Tuesday 16 July 2024.

Bishop Richard Walker STL
•    Born on 24 October 1960
•    1985 Qualified as a solicitor
•    Formation for the Priesthood at St Mary’s College, Oscott, and the Venerable English College, Rome
•    2000 Awarded Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome
•    Ordained Priest at St Francis, Kenilworth, 22 July 2000
•    2000-2003 Assistant Priest, Christ the King, Coventry 
•    2003-2014 member of the Formation Staff at St Mary’s College, Oscott, for the majority of which time he was Vice Rector 
•    2014-2020 Parish Priest, St John the Evangelist, Banbury
•    2015-2020 Director of Ongoing Formation for the Archdiocese
•    2017-2020 member of the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Commission
•    2018-2020 Parish Priest, St Joseph the Worker, Banbury  
•    Trustee of St Mary’s College, Oscott  
•    September 2020 appointed Vicar General and a Trustee of the Archdiocese. 

Pastoral Areas:

Coventry, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire

Key Responsibilities:

-Affirm & strengthen Catholic life in the Pastoral Area
-Represent the Archbishop locally
-Facilitate initiatives to strengthen and encourage the life of deaneries and parishes
-Carry out formal visitations to parishes
-Celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation

Residence:

St. Francis’ Presbytery
Rising Lane
Baddesley Clinton
Warwickshire
B93 0DD

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07496 439043

Published: 27th March, 2018

Updated: 14th November, 2024

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Order Forms (Intranet)

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2017-GENERAL-ORDER-FORM.pdf

2017-GOLD-MEDAL-APPROVAL-AND-ORDER-FORM.pdf

2017-SILVER-MEDAL-APPROVAL-AND-ORDER-FORM.pdf

2017-SILVER-MEDAL-OF-MERIT-APPLICATION-AND-ORDER-FORM.pdf

Published: 27th March, 2018

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Marriage Tribunal

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Birmingham Metropolitan Tribunal


Judicial Vicar: The Reverend Joseph P McLoughlin BA STL JCL

Address

Birmingham Metropolitan Tribunal
Cathedral House
St Chad’s Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6EX


Contact

Frances Paisley: [email protected]

Mary Boylan: [email protected]

Trish Kennedy: [email protected]

Tina Ault: [email protected] 

Published: 27th March, 2018

Updated: 25th July, 2022

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Planning Dept

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Reverend Paul O’Connor, BA (Hons), BPL, MRTPI
Head of Planning, Archdiocese of Birmingham

0121 230 6270
07944 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.

Published: 28th March, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2021

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Bishop William Kenney

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus

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Right Reverend William Kenney CP, Titular Bishop of Midica


Bishop Kenney studied sociology and psychology at the universities of Växjö and Gothenburg and obtained a Fil kand (the same as a BA). He worked as a parish priest and academic sociologist within the Catholic Church in Sweden, before pursuing doctoral studies at the London School of Economics from 1977 to 1979.

He then lectured in the Sociology of Religion and was Director of Studies at the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Gothenburg between 1979 and 1982 and from 1984 to 1987. He was a General Councillor of the Passionist Congregation, resident in Rome, from 1982 to 1984. Bishop Kenney was ordained bishop on 24 August 1987 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of the diocese of Stockholm.

One of his major concerns has been to build up the Caritas organisation of the diocese. Caritas is responsible for the pastoral-social work of the Church on both a national and international basis.

In 1991 he was elected President of Caritas Europe for a four-year term. The major part of this work concerned the problems of refugees and immigrants within Europe and the building up of the Caritas organisations in the eastern part of our continent. He was re-elected for a further four-year term in 1995. He served for three terms on the Legal Affairs Commission of Caritas Internationalis that has its headquarters in the Vatican.

In 1988 Bishop Kenney was awarded an honorary doctorate of Philosophy at the University of Gothenburg for his work in encouraging immigrant students to attend University. Besides his duties as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, he lectures extensively, both in Sweden and abroad on social issues and on ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue. He is also internationally known as a retreat-leader, particularly for religious.
He has taken part in three Episcopal synods: in 1991 on Europe; 1994 on Religious Life; in 1999 the Second European Synod.

Through a Papal appointment in 2013, he is also co-chair of the international conversations between the Lutheran and Catholic Churches. He is a member to the International Department of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales (CBCEW) and represents the Conference in COMECE (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community), and also has responsibility for the Conference’s work in Iraq, Sudan and South Sudan.
Bishop Kenney was elected Diocesan Administrator of the Archdiocese of Birmingham by the Cathedral Chapter. His term of office ended on the installation of Archbishop Bernard Longley, in December 2009.

He is a member of the Las Casas Advisory Board which promotes critical reflection on questions of human dignity in the light of Catholic social teaching and theology; a trustee of the Newman Trust, Oxford since 2012; a member of the diocesan Justice & Peace Commission and most recently, the Chair of the Pastoral Planning Group, which coordinates planning for the future of the Southern region of the diocese.

Residence

St Hugh’s House
27 Hensington Road
Woodstock
Oxfordshire
Tel & Fax: 01993 812234
Email: [email protected]

PA to Bishop Kenney:
Ms Lucia Hattam
Tel: 01993 812234
Email: [email protected]

Published: 28th March, 2018

Updated: 11th July, 2023

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Contact us

The Safeguarding Team

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The Safeguarding Team

Head of Safeguarding - Claire Reay

Deputy Head of Safeguarding - Beverley Lewis

Safeguarding Advisor - Jayne Pullinger

Safeguarding Advisor - Susan Behan

Safeguarding Advisor - Charlotte McKenna

Senior Office Administrator - Angela Arkley

Administration Support Officer - Jackie Crawford

Administration Support Officer – Sarah Lester 

Contact

Safeguarding
Cathedral House
St Chad’s Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6EX


Tel: 0121 230 6240

Email: [email protected]

If you wish to speak to the Safeguarding Team, the office is open Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm. Contactable by phone number: 0121 230 6240 or email: [email protected]

Feedback on Safeguarding in the Archdiocese

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult or believe they are at immediate danger/risk, contact the police - Dial 999. Otherwise, you can also contact your local Children or Adults Social Care Teams. They operate an out-of-hours service.

Published: 29th March, 2018

Updated: 7th January, 2026

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Bishop Philip Pargeter

Retired

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Philip Pargeter was born in Wolverhampton on 13 June 1933. He was educated at St Hilda’s Primary School, Northenden, Manchester and at St Bede’s College, Manchester. He studied for the priesthood at Grove Park (1951 to 1952) and at St Mary’s Seminary, Oscott (1952 to 1959). He was ordained priest on 21 February 1959.

Bishop Pargeter served at Cotton College from 1959 to 1985 as a member of staff, Housemaster (1975 to 1984), Rector (1982 to 1985) and as parish priest for the local community (1984 to 1985). In June 1985 he was appointed Administrator of St Chad’s Cathedral. He was made a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in 1986.

A keen ecumenist, Bishop Pargeter became Chairman of the Birmingham Council of Churches in 1988. In this capacity he has worked to forge stronger ecumenical links in the Birmingham area. He was ordained as titular Bishop of Valentiniana and auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham by Archbishop Couve de Murville 21 February 1990.

On 31 July 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Pargeter’s resignation as Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham in accordance with canons 411 and 401§1.

Published: 29th March, 2018

Updated: 3rd April, 2018

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Bishop David McGough

Bishop David - RIP

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March 2023: It is with great sadness we announce the death of Bishop David McGough, retired auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Bishop David passed away recently at his home in Tean aged 78.

Bishop David McGough RIP

David Christopher McGough was born on 20 November 1944 in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. He attended the Sacred Heart School, Tunstall; St Joseph’s Preparatory School, Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, and Cotton College, North Staffordshire.

He studied for the priesthood at St Mary’s College, Oscott - the Diocesan Seminary - from 1963. He also studied at the Venerable English College in Rome and obtained a degree in Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on 14 March 1970 by Bishop Joseph Cleary in his home Parish, the Sacred Heart, Tunstall. After a year teaching at the Diocesan Seminary he returned to Rome for Post Graduate Studies and gained a degree in Sacred Scripture in 1974.

Bishop McGough spent 15 years teaching Scripture to students for the Catholic Priesthood at Oscott College from 1974 until 1989. In 1986 he was appointed as Parish Priest at Christ the King, Kingstanding, Birmingham. He has been Parish Priest at Our Lady and All Saints, Stourbridge, since 1990.

His other responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Birmingham have been as Dean of the Dudley Deanery and Canon of St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham. He was appointed Episcopal Vicar for Walsall, Wolverhampton, the Black Country and Worcestershire in 2004. His hobbies are photography and heritage railways. He follows Stoke City Football Club from a distance.

He was ordained Bishop by Archbishop Nichols in St Chad’s Cathedral on 8 December 2005.

Published: 29th March, 2018

Updated: 11th July, 2023

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Property

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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

Toni Guest

Head of Diocesan Property

07538 573338

For general advice and issues with the property team.

Property Team

[email protected]

For general enquiries. (For existing cases please contact the appropriate member of the property team directly)

Heidi Davies

Senior Surveyor

0121 230 6248

Leigh McTiernan

Senior Building Surveyor

0121 230 6266

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.

Tom Stockwell

Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager

0121 230 6289

Support the Head of Property, parishes and schools for health, safety and sustainability across the whole of the Archdiocese of Birmingham's estate.  
 

Published: 29th March, 2018

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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