The National Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse takes place every year on the fifth Tuesday of Easter when we remember in prayer ALL people who have suffered abuse of any kind – especially that which has been church-related abuse – and especially those victims and survivors from our own Diocese of Leeds and our sister Dioceses of Middlesbrough and Hallam.

The Catholic Church Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has produced information and resources to guide our prayers:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/national-day-of-prayer-for-survivors-of-abuse-2026/

Bishop Marcus installed the icon of St Raphael in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of Leeds Cathedral as a memorial and a focus of prayer for victims and survivors of abuse and their families. Although such memorials have in some places in the world been erected outside in the grounds of churches, as far as we know, this was the first memorial of its kind erected within a Catholic Cathedral and we hope it  is a place where victims and survivors of abuse themselves will find healing and peace.

The Bishop’s reason for commissioning the image of St Raphael the Archangel was because of his biblical association with the divine gift of healing and restoration, making him another of our ‘Safeguarding Saints’ – and a worthy Icon to be installed into Leeds Cathedral to encourage prayer for the healing of, and justice for, all those who have suffered from physical or sexual abuse as children or vulnerable adults.

St Raphael: pray for us

Safeguarding is Everybody’s Business!

If any any child or adult is at risk of immediate harm, call 999.
The Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding Team is available Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. Direct any concerns via email to: Safeguarding@dioceseofleeds.org.uk or speak to our Safeguarding Team on 0113 2618046. Anyone who brings concerns or allegations to the notice of the Church will be responded to sensitively, respectfully and seriously. All concerns and allegations will be addressed using the Church’s national procedures and in a timely manner. The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) can also be contacted on 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk

A copy of our current Safeguarding Communications Plan is also available on the Safeguarding website.