Our Diocese
St Raphael’s parish is in the Archdiocese of Southwark and in the Deanery of Kingston. The Archdiocese covers the London Boroughs south of the Thames, the county of Kent and the Medway Unitary Authority.
On Thursday 25th July 2019 Archbishop John Wilson was enthroned as the eleventh Archbishop of Southwark. Below is part of the homily preached by Archbishop John on the occasion.
‘Shortly after my nomination as Metropolitan Archbishop I had the enormous privilege of travelling to Rome to receive the Pallium from Pope Francis. From today onwards I will wear this ancient and tangible sign of communion with the Holy Father and the Apostolic See. Through this woven band of lambswool I am yoked to the Successor of Peter and the truth of the Church’s faith. The ministry of those first Apostles continues to this moment, here in the Church of Southwark, through an unbroken succession down the ages.
The Pallium (also) reminds me to exercise my ministry with the heart of the Good Shepherd. Without exception, I must care for those the Lord entrusts to me, looking out especially for the lost, the broken, and the wounded, lifting them up and carrying them home. Someone once commented that it would be ridiculous for a shepherd to leave the whole flock in search of one sheep who’s gone astray. Ridiculous, of course, unless that one sheep is you or someone you love. As bishops, priests, and deacons, we share the special responsibility for shepherding the hundred, not just the ninety-nine.’
The full text of the Archbishop’s homily is available on the diocesan website www.rcsouthwark.co.uk along with a message from him to the people of Southwark.’
