Our Diocese

Guide us O God, to be the best we can be: In every thought, in every word and in every deed.

We are proud to be part of the Diocese of Lancaster, led by our faithful Bishop, Paul Swarbrick.

What makes up the Diocese of Lancaster?

Our parishes, schools, and other central ministries are all important and vital elements of the Diocese of Lancaster.  Besides those ministries and departments that directly support the good works of the Church, there are nearly 40 related Catholic entities, which also serve the local Catholic community.  But it is our people, our clergy, religious, deacons, and lay members, working together in a shared commitment to follow Jesus Christ that defines who and what we are as a Catholic community.

The Diocese is situated in the Northwest in England – all of Cumbria and Lancashire north of the River Ribble. The Mother church of the Diocese is St Peter’s Cathedral, Lancaster.  This is the Bishop’s Church where the Bishop presides over the Liturgy for major diocesan occasions and feasts.  The Pastoral Centre, which since 2004, houses the central administration, is to be found beside the Cathedral on Balmoral Road.  This has allowed the Diocese to bring various departments and ministries stretched across the nine Deaneries into one building to better serve parishes, schools, and other communities.

Mater Ecclesiae - Catholic Multi Academy Trust

All the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lancaster have been invited by our bishop, Rev Paul Swarbrick to consider converting to an academy and join a Catholic Multi Academy Trust (CMAT).

There will be three CMATs in the diocese (which stretches from Preston to the Scottish Borders). Our CMAT will be the Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) and will eventually be made up of the 23 Catholic primary and secondary schools in the greater Preston area. Bishop Paul has asked everyone to convert and join one of the CMATs by 2026.

To fully protect the position of Catholic education, we understand the need to join with our sister schools across the diocese; this process however, is lengthy and will require much work. As part of the conversion process the Governors will consult all school stakeholders; which includes:

• Parents
• Staff members
• The Parish
• Lancashire County Council

It is hoped that by the end of the calendar year 2022, seven schools will have formed the core of the CMAT. Following this, and further advice from the diocese, we will reach out to our school community and keep you fully informed of the process. We ask for your prayers for us, and our family of schools, as these changes take place.