A three-day LOUDfence event at the St John Henry Newman Parish is now underway to show support and solidarity for those who have been impacted by abuse.

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The event, to be based at St Joseph’s in Wolverhampton, is open to everyone across the Parish family, which also includes St Mary’s, Willenhall; Holy Trinity, Bilston and St Joseph’s, Darlaston. 

The invitation to join the LOUDfence is also extended to parishes across the Archdiocese and especially the Dudley and Wolverhampton Deanery.

The LOUDfence will run from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 March, both inside and outside the church, with live streaming available. It will include Masses, an opportunity for quiet time and reflection, craft activities, the chance to talk with members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and more.

During a LOUDfence people are encouraged to tie brightly-coloured ribbons, tokens and messages, to railings, suspended wires and on internal displays. There is also the opportunity to send a virtual ribbon/message by completing a short form

This is a visible act of solidarity with those who have been abused or harmed in any setting and represents the voices of those who also wish to speak out in support and defence of those affected by abuse.

LOUDfence helps to give survivors, the entire church and wider society a voice. The survivor-led initiative was brought to the UK in 2020 at the parish of Kirkbampton, Cumbria, by Antonia Sobocki, Director for LOUDfence UK.

A LOUDfence was held at St Chad’s Cathedral, the Diocesan Mother Church, in May 2023 (main photograph), where support for all those who have suffered abuse was evident with messages coming from across the Archdiocese and as far afield as France and the USA.

The LOUDfence at St John Henry Newman Parish is thought to be the 50th one to be held, and the first to be hosted by a diocesan parish.

St John Henry Newman Parish Safeguarding Representative, Marie Ramsbottom, said: “When we heard the message of Safeguarding Sunday 2025, which was Action Speaks Louder, we knew that the opportunity to host a LOUDfence was a fantastic way we could let our actions speak louder.

“We know there are people who have been hurt by others in many ways out there. We as a faith family want to acknowledge this, want to send the message that they are seen, they are heard and we stand with them. We also want to create a message of hope and let survivors know that we are here, waiting with a warm welcome when they are ready.”

Fr Craig Fullard, Parish Priest, added: “We want to move from being reactive to being proactive. Turn a negative into a positive where we possibly can. We want to be open, to engage, to listen, and we hope as many people as possible will engage as they feel able to.”

Antonia added: "Since childhood the church has been a sanctuary for me and for so many others; a place of refuge from the storms outside. Abuse taking place in the church takes away the place of safety many of us depend on. All of us at LOUDfence wish to thank the Archdiocese of Birmingham for choosing compassion and care over convenient silence. This choice to care truly gives back to all those impacted by abuse and demonstrates actions really do speak louder." 

Highlights of the three-day event include:

•    Friday 6 March
o    9.30am Stations of the Cross
o    Craft drop-in with refreshments, 10.30am - 2.30pm

•    Saturday 7 March
o    LOUDfence Day - Church and Social Club open from 10am - 4pm

•    Sunday 8 March
o    3pm - Service and Shrine Blessing

Discover LOUDfence at St John Henry Newman Parish

Send a virtual ribbon/message

Discover LOUDfence

Safeguarding in the Archdiocese

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