Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Welcome back to the Bishop’s Blog!On the opening day of the Vatican Summit on the Protection of Minors in the Church we held a clergy in-service training day on Safeguarding. The day was well attended, expertly delivered, and actively engaged in by the participants.The day opened with a simple reflection on the statue of Our Lady Vulnerata, the original of which is found in the English College, Valladolid, Spain. It is worth taking time to know the story of this devotion.Our Safeguarding Officer mentioned that she has adopted devotion to this Madonna in her work. It speaks of the tragic damage done to infants, children and the vulnerable as well as the pain caused within the Church by abuse in whatever form it takes. This devotion deserves to be better known and used, particularly in an age when there is so much hurt in life, and much of it hidden.As your Bishop I have accepted to take the ‘hot-seat’ in matters concerning the safe-guarding of minors and vulnerable adults. I must take whatever comes. One consolation is the dedication of my immediate predecessors in establishing a competent safe-guarding regime within the Diocese, very ably assisted in this by Fr.Billing. It is a precious inheritance which must in turn be appreciated, invested in and developed. I have dedicated each Friday morning to Safe-guarding matters. Regular attention to files, reading and being available to listen to whoever has need seems an essential duty for any Bishop these days. Of course, I do not limit my availability to this time only, nor should you assume that whoever sees me on a Friday morning has a Safe-guarding issue; they may simply be coming to tell me it’s about time I cleaned my car!Sex-abuse scandals are inevitably going to define the Church in this age. But it opens the way for a response which will be part of that definition too. Action, reform, penance, fasting and prayer must become prominent and long-lasting. There can be no quick fix to the damage done. We have to live with these wounds, and recognise the wounds that we and the Church have caused in others.Having said that, it is no insignificant thing that the risen Christ still carried the wounds of the Cross. When He showed them to Simon Peter He could have said, ‘Look. This is how much you hurt me.’ Instead He said, ‘Look. This is how much I love you.’ It is the wounded one who will speak first, when ready and able. It is for us Bishops to listen in deep humility and shame and do penance, and believe that somehow Love will prevail.

As ever in Christ,

+ Paul

Paul Swarbrick

Bishop of Lancaster

P.S. Please remember in your prayers Canon Tom Dakin, ordained for the Diocese in 1951, who died last Monday.

An outstanding priest, gentleman and a scholar. May he rest in peace.