Jesus Christ calls us all to follow him on a journey towards holiness, a journey of gradual transformation into his own image and likeness, and to walk in his footsteps. By his example he provides the roadmap that we Christians are to follow, giving of ourselves in the service of others, so that we are gradually transformed to be more like him.
As St Paul explains in his Letter to the Corinthians, ‘For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face’ (1 Cor 13.12). It is by walking this spiritual path, overcoming trials and tribulations in all types of terrain and weather, that Christians learn to follow Jesus’ example closely, so that, over time, our lives become a true reflection of his, who is the roadmap and guide on the journey, as well as the blueprint for the destination. Or as St John put it, ‘… the way and the truth and the life.’
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus warns his followers that this is not an easy road and they are likely to encounter difficulties, even hostility, but he says that he is with them until the end of time. While he does not promise riches or an easy life, he promises to accompany everyone who undertakes this journey at every step, through the sunny uplands as well as through the valleys of darkness.
Indeed, there are many who have completed this journey to holiness; some are recognised now as saints whose lives serve as an example for everyone still on the journey, showing us how anyone can become holy, regardless of how imperfect or difficult their start may have been.
St Bernadette, who experienced visions of Our Lady in a grotto in Lourdes while out collecting firewood for her family, was poor and sickly, and considered among the lowliest in society. Her testimony was dismissed at first and she was told she ‘was good for nothing’. Eventually, after many years, she was believed and a shrine was built on the site. Today, millions of people process in
pilgrimage to that very shrine, to make their devotions and ask for physical and spiritual healing.
St Peter, an apostle and close friend of Jesus, denied him three times. Despite this staggering setback, which would have defeated most people, he asked for forgiveness and recommitted his life to following Jesus.
Through his ministry, the Church spread widely and gained many adherents. From a moment of weakness, he became the Chief Shepherd of the Church, the first Pope and Vicar of Jesus Christ. St Paul similarly started out zealously persecuting Christians until, on the road to Damascus, he was blinded. When his sight was restored, he made it his life’s mission to journey around the Mediterranean preaching the Gospel. His example of holiness and the letters he wrote continue to inspire Christians around the world today.
These are but three of the many saints whose transformed lives encourage Catholics on their own journey: following their example, the saints show that, even when we stumble or fall, we can get up again and continue on the way.
One form of spiritual journey familiar to many people of faith is a pilgrimage. Pilgrims in many religious traditions undertake these journeys in their search for a closer relationship with God, seeking interior transformation that also manifests itself in their lives and relationships with others. For Catholics, a pilgrimage will often involve walking or processing to a shrine, a prayerful and prayerfilled journey that may take hours, days or weeks. It is a physical manifestation of the earthly journey in this life of walking in joyful hope towards the goal of heaven. Pilgrimages are such an important feature of the Catholic life, both literally and symbolically, that Pope Francis has declared that ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ will be the theme of the forthcoming Jubilee Year of 2025.
Just as Catholics have Jesus and the saints as companions on the journey, they are asked to walk with others on the pilgrimage through life. Accompaniment is the act of walking together, helping others and being helped by them to a mutual destination. When pilgrims meet unexpected challenges, such as uneven terrain, difficult weather and obstacles, by leaning on each other they can overcome these obstacles to reach their destination safely.
Accompaniment is also a feature of the synodal journey. In 2021, the Pope called for a Synod on Synodality. The term Synodality is described as a journey rooted in the Tradition of the Church. Its aim is to create a roadmap for the faithful and the crossroads on the journey are invitations to pause and listen to each other in order to understand better the direction to take. In a series of gatherings, at the parish level, Catholics were invited to listen prayerfully to others, especially those on the margins, including those who have been harmed by sexual abuse in the Church. They were encouraged to accompany each other on the journey,
supporting those in need, fostering paths of reconciliation, hope, justice and peace. Their reflections were gathered into diocesan, national and continental submissions that formed the basis of the first Synod on Synodality held in Rome in October 2023.
The Church recognises that modern life can be extremely challenging, with many pressures and demands. The cost of living crisis continues to create hardship for many individuals and families. The misuse of technology can create significant dangers in virtually every area of life, from internet safety for children and vulnerable adults to financial fraud and identity theft. Everyday challenges such as balancing family, work, health, others’ expectations, loss and grief can all add to life’s trials. Alone individuals may struggle on the journey, but those who follow Jesus are called to accompany their neighbours, offering help and support along the way,
so that no one is left behind. For this reason, synodality is linked to mission, which calls on all in the Church to engage in dialogue with others, serve the poor and care for our common home.
Christians are called upon to meet people where they are, to build connections, and work together towards the common good. They are encouraged to accompany everyone in the community, especially those who are in need, regardless of who they are: those living in poverty, the sick, the weak, and those who are vulnerable in any way. It’s not about giving handouts, but walking with others, recognising the other’s humanity, and fostering understanding, acceptance, compassion, solidarity, community and social harmony. It is about journeying with others in the community, both within and beyond the Church, together to find solutions to global problems, such as housing, poverty and the environment, for the good of all. In turn, those who reach out a helping hand are helped on their own journey to grow spiritually, deepen their faith, make meaningful connections and build a stronger community. It is by helping and being helped on the pilgrimage of life that followers of Jesus express their faith, giving life to each other and to their communities.
The Directors of the Corporate Trustee (i.e. the Trustees) present their statutory report together with the consolidated accounts of Westminster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies on pages 52 to 57 of the attached accounts and comply with the Charity’s
Trust Deed, with applicable laws and applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and with the requirements of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The Purpose of the Charity
The Charity’s Trust Deed states that the purpose of the Westminster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust is ‘advancing the Roman Catholic religion in the diocese by such means as the Archbishop may think fit and proper’.
The diocese comprises 207 parishes and 204 schools located in the boroughs of London lying north of the Thames and west of the Lea River, in the Borough of Spelthorne in Surrey, and in the County of Hertfordshire. The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ.
Everyone who follows the Catholic faith is called to become more like Christ, and to follow him, giving of themselves to serve others. It is the teachings and actions of Jesus that shape Catholic practice, and therefore the activities of the Charity.
These include worship of God and participation in the sacraments, all of which Catholics believe to be effective signs instituted by Christ himself; the education of children and all the faithful; and also the work of the Church to build, support, and sustain the wider community, and care for all those in need. Faith and good works are intertwined, as St James made clear
to the early Christians: ‘What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead’ (James 2.14-17).
The Charity fulfils its purpose by offering religious and pastoral services, educational programmes, and charitable support and assistance to all who live within its borders: approximately 430,000 self-identifying Catholics and roughly 4.2 million other residents. These ministries are offered mainly through parishes and chaplaincies, schools, and outreach agencies coordinated
by Caritas Westminster.
When setting the Charity’s aims and planning its work for the year, the Trustees give careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
