‘We’ve lost our centre’: Warwick students ‘desperately’ call on Archbishop to fill University Catholic Chaplain vacancy

Students from the University of Warwick have signed an ‘urgent’ letter to the Archbishop of Birmingham requesting that the University’s Catholic Chaplain vacancy be filled. 

The position has been vacant since 31 July, following Reverend David Palmer’s retirement. Reverend Peter Conley, Assistant Catholic Chaplain, has transferred to the Parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Gregory the Great, in Smethwick, leaving both positions unfilled.

The letter, written by Warwick Catholic Society, emphasises the community’s “immense gratitude” for Palmer and Conley’s service. It stresses the “desperate need” for a Catholic Chaplain on campus, warning that without a replacement, on-campus Masses are “highly unlikely” to continue.

“If things don’t transpire, we would obviously be looking to support Warwick’s Catholic community as best we can.”

Reverend Mark Rowland, Free Church Chaplain at the University of Warwick

The letter also highlights the challenges many Warwick students face, such as living away from home for the first time, loneliness, and academic stress. Signatories believe that the spiritual advice offered by a Catholic Chaplain is “irreplaceable” by secular university support services. 

The Archdiocese of Birmingham, responsible for providing the University with a new chaplain, told The Boar that they are now “investigating” the matter.

Reverend Mark Rowland, Free Church Chaplain at the University, said that it remains “unclear” as to whether a new Chaplain will be appointed. He told The Boar:

“The Archdiocese is responsible for providing a new Chaplain. They provide them, and the University credits them, giving them the go-ahead.

“I believe that they might have someone in mind [to replace Palmer], and the hope should be to have a new Chaplain in for the start of term.

“However, if things don’t transpire, we would obviously be seeking to support Warwick’s Catholic community as best we can.”

Calls for the Archbishop to act come amidst confusion over whether a replacement will be found. Throughout the summer, the official University website incorrectly listed the position as filled. This was corrected on September 5 to reflect the vacancy.

“Now we’re having to disperse throughout the various churches in Leamington, Canley, and Kenilworth: we’ve lost our centre.”

Henry Whitehurst, Welfare Officer of Warwick Catholic Society

The Archdiocese of Birmingham website, however, claims that Reverend Simon Baker, Parish Priest at St Joseph the Worker and St Thomas More, is the University’s Catholic Chaplain. The Boar understands this is listed in error, and the position remains vacant. 

Henry Whitehurst, Welfare Officer of Warwick Catholic Society, believes the lack of a Catholic Chaplain is a “massive loss” for Warwick’s Catholic community.

He told The Boar: “In the past, 120 students would gather together for mass every Sunday in the chaplaincy building. Now we’re having to disperse throughout the various churches in Leamington, Canley, and Kenilworth: we’ve lost our centre.

“It’s especially important to consider how this has affected our many new international students, who’ve found themselves in a new country with a different culture, but don’t have access to clergy on campus who can support them during that transition.”

“With the current absence of a Catholic Chaplain, we pray that the negative impact on Warwick’s Catholic community can be minimised.”

Eleanor Milburn, President of Warwick Catholic Society

Concerned about the “profound negative impact” this could have on Warwick’s Catholic community, Eleanor Milburn, President of Warwick Catholic Society, told The Boar in a statement: 

“CathSoc are incredibly grateful for the invaluable work our previous Chaplains have done on our campus.

“We wish Deacon David and Father Peter all the best for the future, and with the current absence of a Catholic Chaplain, we pray that the negative impact on Warwick’s Catholic community can be minimised.

“We thank the Chaplaincy team for their support during this period, and encourage any student in need to please reach out to them or to alternative University support services.”