February 28, 2026
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Since my appointment as tenth Archbishop of Liverpool, your parish community has been in my prayers and thoughts as I faced the implications of the return of Fr Raphael Jones OSB to Ampleforth Abbey after his service to you over many years. The future of St Joseph’s Parish has been discussed passionately by local parishioners and others, national leaders and been featured in the media. The process has been long and painful for many people. Prior to my arrival, Mgr Philip Inch met with you, then other discussions and consultation followed. My primary concern is to provide stable and sustainable pastoral and spiritual care for you into the future. This includes care for the staff and pupils in St Joseph’s Primary School.
On 12 February 2026, the Council of Priests met. I presented the paper I had distributed at the consultation meeting on 19 January. The volume and content of arguments against this proposal were presented as well as the email I had received from Mr. Bryn Thomas on behalf of the Transition Group (2 February). The letter from the Transition Group dated 11 February addressed to Fr Ron Johnson, Chair of the Council of Priests, was read to the meeting.
The question of ministry by a Religious Order was discussed at length. Priests discussed this decision in the wider context of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan. They recognised that further decisions about the number of parishes and churches, people and clergy, in the Lancashire deanery, will be needed as it will across the archdiocese. The ownership of the properties by Ampleforth Abbey Trust was noted.
After much considered debate, the Council of Priests voted unanimously in favour of the proposal that St. Joseph’s Parish be merged with St. Bede’s, Clayton Green. The present parish priest, Fr Mark Beattie, will have responsibility for the pastoral and spiritual care of the new parish. Sunday Masses will be celebrated at St. Bede’s. There was agreement that the present parish church of St. Joseph’s could become an oratory for prayer. It was understood that the properties belong to Ampleforth Abbey Trust.
I am grateful to Abbot Robert Igo OSB of Ampleforth and others from Ampleforth Abbey Trust for exploring with the local Council ways in which some of the properties might become community assets. I have agreed with him that the church will continue to remain open for prayer at agreed times for an interim period while further exploration for the future of the building is underway. Details and financing of this usage will need to be determined clearly. After further discussion it is hoped that a final decision will be made by the end of October/November this year.
Our Catholic faith is the greatest gift we have received. As we walk together as pilgrims with the Risen Christ, I encourage you to stay firm in the Catholic faith handed onto us over the ages, lest you be tempted to fall away because of this decision. Our faith is too precious for this to happen.
Be assured of my continued prayers during this season of Lent. Please pray for me.
Most. Rev. John Sherrington
Archbishop of Liverpool.