The records in the Diocesan Archive tell the story of the Archdiocese of Southwark and its mission.
They include the papers of the bishops/ archbishops; material relating to finance, property and education; chancery records; files on religious houses and seminaries; parish files; deanery records; information on Southwark clergy; and records on St George’s Cathedral.
There is also a collection of early printed books, predominantly works of theology and church history, and complete series of Southwark Diocese publications such as The Southwark Record and the Southwark Catholic Directory.
The archives of St John’s Seminary, Wonersh and the former Southwark Catholic Children’s Society are also held by the Diocesan Archive.
Our collections also tell the story of the wider community, as the Diocese concerned itself with many national and international issues of the day.
Record Manager Vacancy
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark has an exciting opportunity for a Records Manager to join their Archives and Records Management Team.
This is a part-time role, 3 days a week, initially for a fixed term until August 2024 with the hope of making this post permanent thereafter. Based in Central London (SE1), the role will involve working with the Diocesan Archivist to develop, implement and maintain records management guidance and procedures for the Diocese in particular, developing the retention schedule and looking at the management of digital records. Some work with the organisation’s Data Protection Officer will also fall within this role.
The ideal candidate will have a good undergraduate degree, plus an archive or records management qualification. Previous experience of working within an archive or records management service, with a sound understanding of records management principles is essential. Good IT skills and a well organised, methodical approach will be necessary to complete the work effectively. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to be flexible will also be essential. Some knowledge of data protection/GDPR and the workings of the Catholic Church would be very helpful.
Starting salary £19,000 to £22,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience, to be reviewed again following the successful completion of the probationary period.
The full job description can be found here: Records Manager
If you would like to apply for the role please email your CV to HR@rcaos.org.uk by the closing date of 5th April 2024.
Archive blog
Explore some of the unique documents held in the Diocesan Archive on the Archive’s blogspot: Visit the Archives Blogspot
See also:
Accessing the Diocesan Archives
Record keeping advice for parishes and Diocesan staff; archive policies and forms.
Aims of the Diocesan Archive
The Diocesan Archive aims to give glory to God through its work, specifically aiming:
- To be a custodian of the collective memory and identity of the Diocese.
- To identify, gather, preserve and make available records which build a comprehensive picture and tell the story of the Southwark Archdiocese over time.
- To show the continuity of the work of the Diocese and its place in the uninterrupted work of the Church throughout the centuries.
- To support the current work of the Diocese and be a useful resource for its personnel, administration, parishes and agencies.
- To advise and assist Diocesan staff with good record-keeping practices.
- To be a resource for both Diocesan personnel and external researchers who wish to study aspects of the story of the Diocese and the wider community.
- To ensure access to Diocesan history is as straightforward as possible, e.g. the digitisation of the historical parish registers.
- To help the Diocese to be open and to be accountable to its personnel, parishioners and the wider community, allowing an objective investigation of facts.
Archives and the Mission of the Church
The Catholic Church recognises the importance of archives to the mission of the Church. This is reflected in Canon Law and also in a circular letter issued by the Vatican.
The Pastoral Function of Church Archives
This circular letter, issued by the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church, is an important statement by the Vatican on the importance of archives to the Church and its mission. The message stressed throughout the letter that Church archives have particular value for evangelisation
The full letter can be read here: The Pastoral Function of Church Archives
Canon Law
Canon 486 §1: “All documents which regard the Diocese or parishes must be protected with the greatest care.”
Canon 486 §2: “In every curia there is to be erected in a safe place a diocesan archive, or record storage area, in which instruments and written documents which pertain to the spiritual and temporal affairs of the diocese are to be safeguarded after being properly filled and diligently secured.”
Can. 491 §1: “A diocesan bishop is also to take care that there is an historical archive in the diocese and that documents having historical value are diligently protected and systematically ordered in it.”
Canon 535 §4: “In each parish there is to be an archive, in which the parochial books are to be kept, together with episcopal letters and other documents which it may be necessary or useful to preserve.”
“In the mind of the Church, archives are places of memory of the Christian community and storehouses of culture for the new evangelization. Thus they themselves are a cultural good of primary importance whose special merit lies in recording the path followed by the Church through the centuries in the various contexts which constitute her very structure. As places of memory archives must systematically gather all the data making up the articulated history of the Church community so that what has been done, the results obtained, including omissions and errors, may be properly evaluated.”
- Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church
