Parenting

Your family must be an environment where you learn to be together, to reconcile the conflicts in mutual dialogue. This is done by listening and speaking to understand and love, to be a sign, the one for the other, of the mercy of God.

Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 29.11.12


The role of parents as the first educators of their children in the ways of love, faith and social responsibility is both critical and irreplaceable. The Church supports parents by offering opportunities to reflect on parenting in the company of other parents, looking at why children behave as they do, and positive ways in which to respond.

In his written intervention at the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, Cardinal Vincent Nichols drew attention to the crucial priority of the vocation of parenting and the need to focus on the human formation of the family as well as the family's faith formation. Over the last 20 years and more, dioceses in England and Wales have used Family Caring Trust parenting programmes to support parents in their vocation.
pigtail cuddle

PARENTING SUPPORT

A number of dioceses and other organisations offer specific programmes of support and engagement for parents:

Mum and Toddler

Contact your local Diocesan Coordinator for more information

Interactive Map