Contact details for the local safeguarding representatives for the dioceses of England and Wales.
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:
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:
This means each diocese is independently accountable for safeguarding. Each Diocese has its own Safeguarding office:
