The Diocese of Northampton can confirm that Bishop David Oakley has been charged after an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations.

We understand that this will be very distressing for all concerned but cannot comment further on an active legal process.

If you have any safeguarding concerns please contact either the diocesan safeguarding team or the police directly. Our Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 01604 723514 /safeguarding@northamptondiocese.org.

For further resources and support visit our dedicated webpage for victims and survivors and anyone hurt by abuse here.

Please direct all media enquiries to our Diocesan Director of Communications, Neil Roseman on 07725234700 or neil.roseman@northamptondiocese.org

The post Statement from the Diocese of Northampton appeared first on Catholic Safeguarding Council.

The Faith in Safeguarding campaign raises awareness of the legal duty to refer – the process organisations must follow by law when there are safeguarding concerns about individuals in regulated activity, increasing understanding of when referrals must be made, how the process works, and why it matters.

Faith communities and faith-based organisations play a vital role in the lives of children and vulnerable adults, and this campaign aims to ensure that clergy, safeguarding leads, trustees, and community leaders have the knowledge and confidence they need to fulfil this duty.

The Catholic Church in England and Wales has established safeguarding structures and extensive reach across parishes and Catholic organisations, and therefore is a key partner of the DBS in ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are understood and upheld.

It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.

Beginning on 25 March 2026, the DBS will be hosting free, in-person pop-up clinics across cities in England and Wales offering practical guidance tailored to faith settings. These sessions are open to anyone with safeguarding responsibilities in a faith setting.

The sessions will include an introduction to DBS and eligibility for DBS checks, what the legal duty to refer means for your organisation, practical scenarios applying the legal duty in faith settings, a walkthrough of the Barring Referral Service and time for questions.

Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference said:

“I am pleased to be supporting this important campaign. Safeguarding is of vital importance to the Catholic Church in England and Wales and lies at the heart of our mission. I encourage Catholic clergy and all involved in safeguarding in the Catholic Church to participate in the Faith in Safeguarding campaign, attend the local pop-up clinics and to refresh and expand your knowledge and commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.”

More information about the Faith in Safeguarding campaign can be found here.

More information about safeguarding and the Catholic Church in England and Wales can be found here.

Local pop-up clinics

Greater London
Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 9:30am–1:00pm
The Chesterfield Mayfair, 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5EB

Liverpool
Wednesday, 15 April 2026, 9:30am–1:00pm
Hilton Liverpool City Centre

Leeds
Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 9:30am–1:00pm
Radisson Blu Hotel

Birmingham
Tuesday, 28 April 2026, 9:30am–1:00pm
Clayton Hotel

Bristol
Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 9:30am–1:00pm
Holiday Inn City Centre

Newcastle
Tuesday, 12 May 2026, 9:30am–1:00pm
Leonardo Hotel

Peterborough
Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 9:30am–1:00pm
Park Inn by Radisson

Further sessions in Wales and Northern Ireland will be confirmed at a later date.

The post Safeguarding bishop encourages support for DBS Faith in Safeguarding campaign appeared first on Catholic Safeguarding Council.