Chief Operating Officer Expand Eric Kirwan was appointed Chief Operating Officer for the Archdiocese in March 2021. Prior to taking up this role he was a successful Chief Executive Officer with experience of working in the UK and internationally, including in Scandinavia, Europe and Middle East, Asia and North America. He has also held the role of Non-Executive Director for an award-winning AI technology company. Related to his current position, he is also a Director of The Sower Company, PAS Ltd, the owner of the OPAS Parish Accounting system and The Barberi and Newman Academy Trust. Immediately prior to joining the Archdiocese he served as Chair of the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Company in Alcester, Warwickshire. He is a parishioner and church warden at St Francis Catholic Church in Kenilworth and has been active in the parish community for many years. Born in Coventry and educated at St Mary’s (now St Mary’s and St Benedict’s) primary and Cardinal Wiseman Secondary schools in the city, he studied Town Planning at Oxford Brooks University. Eric is married to Liz, has a daughter Marie and son Rory, is a keen runner and long-suffering supporter of Coventry City. [email protected]
Communication and Media Expand Caroline Bletso and Faye Fawcett are the Press and Media Relations Officers for the Archdiocese, managed by Deacon Paul O'Connor. The team supports parishes and schools in all communication matters and responds to media enquiries. Caroline and Faye are also responsible for managing the Archdiocese website, social media accounts and producing an e-newsletter. The Sower, the former diocesan magazine, is available here Between them Caroline and Faye have extensive experience of working in the communications sector. Contact the Communications Team: Caroline Bletso - 074 6467 4630 - [email protected] Faye Fawcett - 078 2378 9457 - [email protected] Deacon Paul O'Connor - 079 4480 3701 - [email protected] Also contactable via [email protected]
Director of Operations Expand Richard Hawkins was appointed Director of Operations for the Archdiocese in April 2025. He brings a wealth of leadership experience with him, having a strong background in operations, strategy, technology, finance and governance across public, charitable and private sectors. Richard's previous roles have included Operations Director at Methodist Ministers Housing Society, where he helped to oversee a £500M housing portfolio and drove strategic development. He is also a former Head of Technology at Red Kite Community Housing, leading cloud-based IT transformations and security enhancements. Richard is very active in his local community. He spent 22 years as a school governor and led a youth and liturgy groups at St Joseph's in Thame, Oxon. Married to Cindy, a teaching assistant at a diocesan school, the couple have two grown-up children. Richard is also the 'proud owner' of a very large collection of ancient IT equipment! [email protected]0121 230 6230
Fundraising Expand Supporting parishes and diocesan projects to access funding through grants, trusts and other income generation. Kevin Baugh is the Funding Officer. How can we help your parish? It is our role to support parishes across the whole of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. We are paid for through the Parish Levy, so come at no extra cost to you. We can support you in a number of ways including: Coming out to meet with you and discuss your ideas. Talking over the phone. Identifying funding opportunities for community projects, and other parish activities. Helping to develop funding plans and strategies. Helping you to develop capital projects in conjunction with specialist advice and support from our property team. Helping with funding applications. Speaking to funders on your behalf. Signposting you to expert advice and supporting with partnership working. Providing training at your parish. Supporting you with community fundraising. Providing you with a range of resources to help you fundraise for your parish. Make grant applications to fund the VAT element of any works carried out on listed churches. Enquiries Project & Grant funding Enquiries If your enquiry relates to building project or site development funding, please contact the Property Team: [email protected] For general fundraising enquiries, please contact Kevin Baugh: [email protected]
IT Expand IT Manager - Robert Leftwich - 0121 230 6235 IT and Admin Officer - Matthew Puczylowski - 0121 230 6216
Legal Expand Clare O’Brien is the Diocesan Solicitor and helps parishes with legal queries, particularly about property or data protection issues. She also assists any parish which receives a legacy with the necessary legal formalities. Clare is the first port of call for any other legal queries from parishes. She provides legal support to the trustees and to the curial office and assists the Diocesan Education Service with any legal issues they have. Tel: 0121 230 6231 [email protected] Debbie Jones is the Data Compliance Manager. Tel: 0121 230 6271 [email protected]
Marriage Tribunal Expand Birmingham Metropolitan Tribunal Judicial Vicar: The Reverend Joseph P McLoughlin BA STL JCL Address Birmingham Metropolitan Tribunal Cathedral HouseSt Chad’s QueenswayBirminghamB4 6EX Contact Frances Paisley: [email protected] Mary Boylan: [email protected] Trish Kennedy: [email protected] Tina Ault: [email protected]
Planning Dept Expand Reverend Paul O’Connor, BA (Hons), BPL, MRTPIHead of Planning, Archdiocese of Birmingham 0121 230 627007944 803701 [email protected] As a qualified town planner, Deacon Paul can provide advice on how to progress planning matters and can assist parishes when there is proposed development near to them. Where parishes are considering repairs or alterations to listed churches they can gain support and resources from the Historic Churches Committee. Alternatively for repairs or alterations to non-listed churches advice is available from the Art and Architecture Committee. Deacon Paul can provide advice on approvals required and procedure to follow. Deacon Paul can provide advice on burial ground issues, including columbariums.
Property Expand The main role of the property team is to provide advice and guidance for management of parish property. The property team also manages all property held centrally by the Archdiocese. The team can advise you on the upkeep, maintenance and development of parish properties, health and safety compliance to ensure the effective running of buildings for parishes and communities. The department supports with planning, inspections and surveys, lettings, maintenance and refurbishment. Where parishes are considering repairs or alterations to listed churches they can gain support and resources from the Historic Churches Committee. Alternatively for repairs or alterations to non-listed churches advice is available from the Art and Architecture Committee. Contacts Toni Guest Head of Diocesan Property 07538 573338 For general advice and issues with the property team. Property Team [email protected] For general enquiries. (For existing cases please contact the appropriate member of the property team directly) Heidi Davies Senior Surveyor 0121 230 6248 Leigh McTiernan Senior Building Surveyor 0121 230 6266 Joan Diamond Senior Surveyor 0121 230 6232 For lettings, sales and acquisitions, title issues, work related leases - rent reviews, renewals etc., boundary disputes, maintenance obligations, rating Council Tax. Tom Stockwell Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager 0121 230 6289 Support the Head of Property, parishes and schools for health, safety and sustainability across the whole of the Archdiocese of Birmingham's estate.
Travellers Ministry Expand Chaplain to the Travelling Community: Fr Eamonn Corduff Rev Fr Eamonn Corduff
Finance Expand Birmingham Diocesan Trust annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Download and read report The Finance department of the Archdiocese handles all areas in relation to central and parish finance, and assists parishes in managing their finances by providing support and training on OPAS (the parish finance system) and in completing and claiming their Gift Aid monies from HM Revenue and Customs. In addition to this, we provide financial management support to parishes to support them in balancing often challenging budgets. We also monitor and maintain the central diocesan budgets, providing information to trustees and departments, to ensure that there is robust and good stewardship of the finances of the Archdiocese Curia. We manage the finance of the capital allocation for our Voluntary Aided schools, working closely with schools and the property team here at the Archdiocese. The department looks after all the Archdiocese’s financial compliance, including the completion of the charity’s Trust Financial Statements, Payroll, internal audit programme (audit of parish and other diocesan department accounts) and management of the statutory audit. We also administer the Diocesan investment scheme, a fund which is available to diocesan bodies to invest surplus funds on the investment market, the fund is managed by a third party investment fund manager. Contacts Head of Finance - Sue Simkiss - 0121 230 6283. For enquiries in relation to Finance, compliance and Diocesan investments. Diocesan Finance Manager - Susan De Costa - 0121 230 6234. For all enquiries relating to Diocesan Finance. Parish Finance Support Manager - Stuart Jelf - 0121 230 6222. For all enquiries relating to Parish Finance and parish audit Diocesan Accounts and Payroll Officer - Magdalena Edwards - 0121 230 6244. For all enquiries relating to Diocesan and DES Finance, School’s capital payments and Diocesan Payroll (NB – use [email protected] for schools capital funding enquiries). Diocesan Accounts Assistant - Kerry McKenna - 0121 230 6217. For all enquiries relating to Diocesan and DES Finance, School’s capital payments and Diocesan Payroll (NB – use [email protected] for schools capital funding enquiries). Parish Gift Aid Advisor- John Nolan - 0121 230 6219. For all enquiries relating to parish Gift Aid. Parish Finance and Gift Aid Officer - Rheann Byrne - 0121 230 6262. For all enquiries relating to parish finance and Gift Aid, also parish legacy payments. Parish Auditor - Rod Wigley. For all enquiries in relation to booked audits, please contact Rod by email, or contact Stuart Jelf. For general accounts payable: [email protected]
Weddings (Office for Marriage) Expand OFFICE FOR MARRIAGE The work of this office is the processing of marriage papers - worldwide - for couples where the Catholic party, at least, is resident within the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The aim is to help and assist priests, deacons and couples in the preparation of marriage documentation. Paperwork is sent to the Office for Marriage from the parishes or chaplaincies, it is processed, recorded, and then forwarded to the parish / diocese of marriage. Please Read: Marriage Office Privacy Policy Contact Detail:e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0121 230 6242 (voicemail facility available) Hours: Tuesday – Friday 09.00-15.00 Frequently Asked Questions Q: What paperwork do I need to submit to the Office for Marriage?A: A fully completed pre-nuptial inquiry form and additional supporting documentation depending on the couple and the type of marriage. See ‘Documents’ section of this site for all relevant paperwork. Q: When should I contact the Office for Marriage?A: For marriages within the Archdiocese please forward documentation as soon as it is completed. Marriages taking place outside the Archdiocese of Birmingham need particular attention so you are asked to submit all documentation as soon as possible. Q: Should I include original documentation?A: Unless requested please only send in photocopies of original documentation. Photocopies of the following are acceptable, Civil notice of marriage (blue papers), all certificates, ie - baptism, marriage, divorce, marriage-prep, dissolution/nullity, death, etc as appropriate. Q: How is permission for a marriage between a Catholic and a baptised Christian obtained?A: In the Archdiocese of Birmingham permission for a mixed marriage is given either by the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage or the Dean, Parish Priest of the Catholic party. Please complete the section relating to mixed marriage in the pre-nuptial inquiry form. Q: How is permission for a marriage for a Catholic and an un-baptised person obtained?A: This is an impediment to marriage. So for validity a dispensation from disparity of cult must be granted by the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: What happens if there is doubt about the baptism of the non-Catholic party?A: Please submit the doubt to the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: Are there any other impediments to marriage?A: Yes, these are listed in the Code of Canon Law (canons 1083-1094). NB: The impediment of prior bond is of Divine Law and applies to all persons. It cannot be dispensed; in other words a person is only free to marry if their previous spouse is deceased or a tribunal has issued a dissolution or annulment of that union. Q: Before whom should the couple marry?A: In accordance with canonical form and for validity a couple must marry before the local ordinary or by the parish priest. With the appropriate delegation a couple you may marry before another priest or deacon provided delegation is granted by the parish priest. To be valid this delegation must be given expressly to a named person indicated on the pre-nuptial inquiry form. The Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage also has competence to grant this delegation if needed. Q: Must couples marry in their parish church?A: Ordinarily marriages are to be celebrated in the parish of the Catholic party. The parish priest can request a dispensation from this canonical form which would enable the couple to marry elsewhere. This dispensation is required for the validity of the marriage. In all circumstances a request for this dispensation is made to the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: Can invalid marriages be rectified? A: A marriage may be invalid because of a defect of consent, form or some other impediment which existed at the time of the marriage. The parish priest can request that such marriages be validated. For validity, such convalidation is granted by the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage. Q: Are there extra requirements for marriages outside of the Archdiocese of Birmingham?A: Marriages outside of the Archdiocese require additional information and therefore the pre-nuptial inquiry form, along with supporting documentation (see Documents section) should be sent to the Archbishop’s Delegate for Marriage as soon as possible. Q: Are there any costs?A: These will be discussed with you by your parish priest. As from 1st April 2015 there will be a levy payable by the couple for documentation presented to the Office for Marriage. The levy is £30 for local (own diocese / E&W conference areas and £50 for all other areas / abroad). The couple are to pay this levy directly to the Parish, which in turn will be debited by BACS transfer accordingly.