A PASTORAL LETTER FROM OUR ARCHBISHOP JOHN WILSON

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This Jubilee Year calls us to remember that we journey together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ who look to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Therefore, we place our hope in God’s Word. The Jubilee Year offers each of us, and all of us, a profound opportunity to reflect prayerfully on the future of our Archdiocese.

We face some significant challenges – nearly half of our diocesan priests will reach the canonical retirement age of 75 by the end of 2025; Mass attendance has declined by a third over the past 25 years; and many parishioners have yet to return to parish life since the pandemic.

But – and importantly – these realities do not need to define us. Financial uncertainties in many of our parishes may feel daunting, but they are also an invitation to rediscover our mission, and to dream boldly about what God can achieve through us.

My hope is for our parishes to be places of profound joy and healing, where lay men and women experience the transformative love of Christ; where they are equipped to carry forward the Church’s mission with renewed purpose.

I invite you to dream with me and to make this dream a reality. In 2023, we embarked on a process entitled Called to Bear Fruit.

It’s a journey of listening, collaboration, and renewal in a spirit of synodality. We began by listening to the hopes and concerns of our clergy. Now, I would like also to hear from you, my sisters and brothers in Christ.

What signs of vitality do you see flourishing in your parish? Where do you perceive the challenges
to be? How can we work together, as clergy, laity and consecrated people, and neighbouring parishes, to make the Church’s mission more effective in our local communities?

Today, I would like to ask for your help in two ways:

First of all, please pray for the renewal of our Archdiocese during this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Secondly, to engage in the Called to Bear Fruit consultation. A booklet is available at Mass today which outlines six key themes for reflection.

I encourage you to gather in small groups, as works best in your community. Come together prayerfully to reflect on these themes, and share your insights with the Called to Bear Fruit team.

The booklet explains everything about how to do this. This Jubilee Year of Hope is our chance to open ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to work together towards a revival of Christian life, witness, and mission in our Archdiocese.

Together, we can re-imagine our parishes as thriving centres of faith, healing, and evangelisation. As Pilgrims of Hope, therefore, let us walk this journey together with faith, courage, and joy.

With every blessing and with the assurance of my prayers and gratitude. Yours devotedly in Christ

John Wilson Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark