On Saturday 40 of our Diocesan chaplains and volunteers gathered at the Cathedral centre for a quiet day led by Fr. Glover the Episcopal Vicar for Social Responsibility. It was good to welcome the Revd. Deacon Liam Bradley, (presently on placement in our diocese) and Michael Quinn a student of our Diocese to share in this now annual event.
The day began with coffee at 10.00am which was followed by the first address. Time was then given for people to go to the Cathedral for quiet reflection or to benefit from the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Mass was at 12.10pm and was concelebrated by Frs. Glover, Egan, O’Brien, Ryder, Mackie and Canon McBride. Fr. Egan gave a short homily. The group returned to the Cathedral Centre for lunch. The second address followed after which everyone returned to the Cathedral where Fr. Ryder led devotions before the Blessed Sacrament and the day ended with Benediction.

The diocese of Salford has a long and enviable tradition of prison and hospital priests, supported by religious and lay assistants. Catholic chaplains – priests, religious, lay extends to families of prisoners and patients, to staff members and to all members of the prison and hospital community, of all faiths and none. The Catholic chaplain has no role to proselytise, but simply to be visible, accessible and available to all.

Chaplaincy is one of the most important works of the Church in the diocese, reaching out to the un-churched and marginalised as well as the practising Catholic. The Catholic Chaplaincy deals with the challenges and opportunities that this dynamic affords. Ministry to those in prison or hospital is a fundamental part of the mission of the Church, explicitly mentioned by Christ in the Gospels.