Warwick Catholics slam University’s eleventh-hour chaplaincy appointment

Warwick’s new Catholic Chaplain is set to be appointed in early December, just in time for the University’s ecumenical carol service, The Boar can reveal.

It follows a series of “huge delays” and “inadequate communication” between the University and Warwick’s Catholic students, according to Warwick Catholic Society (CathSoc).

After Reverend David Palmer retired in July, the University has gone an entire term without a Catholic chaplain, which has seen the end of on-campus Mass.

Communication from the University has been incredibly poor, and the chaplaincy team have also been in the dark about what’s happening. It seems the chaplaincy has no autonomy at all

Eleanor Milburn, President, Warwick CathSoc

Amid growing uncertainty, The Boar understands that the University’s new Catholic Chaplain will be Reverend Simon Baker, who also serves as Parish Priest at St Joseph the Worker and St Thomas More.

Eleanor Milburn, President of Warwick CathSoc, is “outraged” by the “shocking lack of communication” from the University throughout the appointment process. She told The Boar: “I genuinely think if CathSoc and the Chaplaincy team hadn’t been chasing this for so long, nothing would be getting done.

“Communication from the University has been incredibly poor, and the chaplaincy team have also been in the dark about what’s happening. It seems the chaplaincy has no autonomy at all.”

She added: “The University’s chaplaincy team have been fantastic throughout all of this, but they’ve had no control over the process and are also confused as to why it’s taken so long.”

Ms Milburn later stressed that it was only “whenever The Boar came chasing for answers” that the appointment process progressed

Having gone weeks without a Chaplain, it was not until 17 November, the Sunday of Week 7, that a mass specifically for Warwick students was held. This was at a nearby church in Canley, St Joseph the Worker.

Ms Milburn later stressed that it was only “whenever The Boar came chasing for answers” that the appointment process progressed. “Whenever CathSoc and the Chaplaincy team tried to do the same, nothing really happened,” she added.

Solomon Lever, a first-year Philosophy and Politics student, stressed the impact of these delays on pastoral care:

“The lack of a spiritual teacher or support on campus this term has meant many students, including myself, have sought this support back home or in other places of Catholic worship.

“It’s definitely led to a less-than-smooth transition as not only are we a small religious group on campus, but we also haven’t had a member of the church to help us through the transition or keep up with our development as Catholics regardless.”

Neither the University, Chaplaincy, or Archdiocese of Birmingham could confirm to The Boar when students will be next able to attend an on-campus Mass

Neither the University, Chaplaincy, or Archdiocese of Birmingham could confirm to The Boar when students will be next able to attend an on-campus Mass, if it all.

Avril, a fellow first-year student, spoke of her troubles in finding the new Mass at St Joseph the Worker. She told The Boar: “Last Sunday, I thankfully, by chance, happened to be on the same bus as Henry (CathSoc’s Wellbeing Officer). But I had no idea where I was going.

“It’s been upsetting because more people who are on the fence would come [to Mass] if it’s been on campus.

Students have stressed that an on-campus Chaplain offers “more than just a Mass”. Eleanor, who had her Confirmation at Warwick last year, stressed the “integral” role Catholic Chaplains have played in previous years:

“Deacon David used to send out a newspaper and people externally would approach him, with retreats, job opportunities, internships in Catholic schools and Catholic communities.

“A lot of new Catholic students had trouble finding us, and a local place to have mass, which is very upsetting.

“We’ve all been squeezing into the 11am Mass at St Joseph’s, and it’s become very cramped.”

Father Simon has a provisional start date of 5 December […] This will be in time for the annual carol service at the chaplaincy, which will be a lovely event to welcome him into the team

Andy Smith, Director of Wellbeing and Safeguarding

Warwick’s Catholic Society say they are ‘committed’ to supporting Warwick’s Catholic community, and ‘strongly encourage’ students to reach out to them, the Chaplaincy, or alternative Wellbeing services.

Andy Smith, Director of Wellbeing and Safeguarding, told The Boar: “Father Simon has a provisional start date of 5 December (subject to final HR onboarding, which all appear to be on course).

This will be in time for the annual carol service at the chaplaincy, which will be a lovely event to welcome him into the team.”