The Diocese

Welcome

As we continue our journey together, it is important to re-establish a clear Vision and Mission for our Diocese to help us focus our talents, energies and prayers on the things that are most important. A Diocesan Strategy Group, working with the Diocesan Board of Trustees, has produced a Vision and Mission statement for the Diocese. The group has also drawn upon the expertise of people from across the Diocese to develop a set of Values and Behaviours. These have all been endorsed by the Diocesan Trustees.

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

Inspired by the Risen Christ, we aim to be a Church where communities of faith flourish, members accept co-responsibility for the building of God’s Kingdom, enabling all to live life to the full.

Mission

To be a welcoming, worshipping people of God, sharing the Good News, growing as Disciples of Jesus in faith, and living in loving service of others.

Values

Integrity:

Being honest, open and consistent in all that we do.

Respect:

Respecting every human being, respecting diversity and everyone’s different gifts and opinions and respecting our world.

Trust:

Trusting in God, trusting in each other and trusting in ourselves.

Service:

Having an attitude of service and using our talents to serve God and our neighbour.

Compassion:

Seeing God’s face in everyone, particularly the poor and the vulnerable.

Diocesan Objectives

The Diocese will ensure the:

  • Dynamic growth and renewal of the Church through our Partnerships.
  • Building of God’s Kingdom in community and in public life.
  • Sustainability and resourcing of the Diocesan mission and ministry.

These three objectives will form the basis for ongoing reflection and discernment.

Cathedral Church of St Mary

The idea of St Mary’s was actually conceived in 1838, by Fr James Worswick who had recognised the need for a second large church in the town to serve the rapidly increasing Catholic population of Newcastle.

It was designed and built by one of the greatest of all Victorian architects, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, who was a convert to Catholicism and is now most famous for his major contribution to the neo-Gothic decoration of the Houses of Parliament.

Diocesan Patrons

Read more about the Diocesan Patrons; Our Blessed Lady Immaculate and St Cuthbert.

Northern Saints and Martyrs

Find out when we celebrate the Feast or Memorial days of our Northern Saints.

Read more of the three hundred and fifteen of our Catholic ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the Catholic faith in England and Wales during the religious persecution of the 16th and 17th centuries, twenty six can be considered as “Martyrs of the North” as they were born, laboured or suffered within the confines of Northumberland and Durham.