Safeguarding

Local Safeguarding Structures

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 @ 2:39 pm

Contact details for the local safeguarding representatives for the Catholic dioceses of England and Wales.

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The Catholic Church in the United Kingdom is composed of 21 dioceses, each of which operates as an autonomous canonical and legal entity. Although dioceses collaborate nationally and share common principles, they are not centrally governed by a single UK-wide authority. Their independence is shaped by both Canon Law (the law of the Church) and civil law.

Under canon law, a diocese is defined as a particular Church, entrusted to the pastoral care of a bishop.
The bishop has ordinary, proper, and immediate authority within his own diocese. This means:

  • He is the chief pastor, leader, and decision-maker for all matters within his diocese.
  • He has authority that comes directly from the Church, not delegated by any national body.
  • He is responsible for governance, safeguarding, liturgy, clergy management, and pastoral priorities in his own territory.

Although dioceses are independent of each other, they remain in communion with the worldwide Catholic Church and under the supreme authority of the Pope. However, the Pope does not manage dioceses day-to-day; this responsibility lies with the diocesan bishop.

In UK civil law:

  • Dioceses are typically registered as charitable trusts or charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs).
  • Each diocese has its own trustees, governance structure, finances, policies, and accountabilities.
  • No diocese is legally responsible for or subsidiary to another.

This means each diocese is independently accountable for safeguarding. Each Diocese has its own Safeguarding office:

Diocese Contact Phone Email
Arundel and Brighton Angela McGrory 01293 651148 Email
Birmingham Claire Reay 0121 230 6240 Email
Brentwood Simon Moules 01277 265234   Email
Cardiff-Menevia Chris Mullane 02920379481 Email
Clifton Janice Pearson 0117 954 0993 Email
East Anglia Liam Sainsbury 01508 492202 Email
Hallam Marie O’Donnelly 0114 256 6454 Email
Hexham and Newcastle Andrew Grant 0191 243 3305 Email
Lancaster Sharon Tipping 01524 596069 Email
Leeds Mary Kearney 0113 2618046 Email
Liverpool Mark Robson 0151 522 1013 Email
Middlesbrough Jacqui Drysdale 07562 935641 Email
Northampton Danielle Dixon 01604 723514 Email
Nottingham Rachael Campion 0115 953 9849 Email
Portsmouth Ruth Atfield 02394 216487 Email
Plymouth Martin Christmas-Nelson 01364645431 Email
Salford Jenny Clayton 0161 817 2206 Email
Shrewsbury Andrew O’Brien 0151 652 9855
Southwark Mary-Jane Crowley 0207 261 1606 Email
Westminster Catherine Edginton 020 7798 9000 Email
Wrexham Mary Rowlands 01978 536349 Email

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