Faith
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford is part of the global Catholic Church comprising more than a billion followers throughout the world.
Headed by Pope Leo XIV, we are united in a common faith that has been handed down from the apostles and Saint Peter – the first pope and “the rock” (Matthew 16:18) on which Christ built His Church.
The core of our faith is expressed in our Creed, which states that we believe in one God, who exists as a singular, three-fold entity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It asserts that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, became man to unite with all people everywhere, so we might share in his life, death, and resurrection to be born to a new life, free from sin, after our earthly lives.
The Church teaches that this is made possible through grace, faith, and charity, emphasising the importance of the Sacraments – particularly the Eucharist – as a means of encountering God in our world today.
Guided by scripture and tradition, the Church teaches that it is the living “Body of Christ” in our world today, led by the pope and bishops around the world, to live out its mission to share the Good News, to love and serve one another, and lead people to eternal life with God.
The Church is led on a local level by a diocese, each one guided by a bishop who has been appointed by the pope to help fulfil the mission of the Church in that area in the modern world.
To find out more about our diocese, please click here. To find out more about our bishop, please click here.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding getting involved with the Church or developing your faith, please do get in touch with our Department for Formation by emailing formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or calling 0161 817 2214.
Resources for Catechists
Are you a catechist looking for resources to help you deliver sacramental programmes in your parish or school?
Our Department for Formation has a range of resources for you to explore.
Get in touch by emailing formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or by calling 0161 817 2214.
How do I…
Got a question? Please explore the drop downs below to find out more.
If you have a specific question not listed below, please get in touch with our team by emailing formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or explore the Further Reading section on this page.
Congratulations on making this exciting first step on your faith journey!
To learn more about becoming a Catholic, the first step is to speak with your local parish priest, who will be able to tell you more and accompany you through the process.
Need to find a church? Our Online Directory will be able to signpost you to your nearest Catholic parish.
You can also find more information here.
Welcoming your child into the Church and the family of God is a joyful occasion for your family and the whole parish community.
Beginning this process couldn’t be easier; simply speak with your parish priest who will be able to advise you on how best to proceed.
Need to find a church? Our Online Directory will be able to signpost you to your nearest Catholic parish.
Read more about baptism here.
With more than 100 Catholic parishes across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with one of our friendly churches.
To find a Catholic parish near you, please visit our Online Directory to find out more and access contact details for parishes.
The Diocese of Salford is home to more than 200 Catholic schools and colleges across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
We are so proud of the work carried out by our fantastic schools and their dedication to instilling Gospel values and our Catholic life and mission into all aspects of school life.
To find your local Catholic school, please visit our Online Directory.
Congratulations on embarking on this exciting new chapter! Getting married in the Catholic Church is a solemn sacrament and wonderful celebration that welcomes the blessings of God into your marriage.
To begin the process of enquiring about getting married in the Catholic Church, please speak to your local parish priest who will be able to guide you through the process.
Need to find a church? Our Online Directory will be able to signpost you to your nearest Catholic parish.
Find out more about marriage in the Catholic Church here.
Need to talk? Need Someone to Listen?
We all aspire to harmony at home but inevitably couples experience relationship difficulties that they may struggle to resolve. When it’s hard to talk things through and challenges seem insurmountable, engaging a skilled relationship counsellor can make all the difference.
Marriage Care is a national organisation that provides professional relationship counselling, marriage preparation, and marriage support. Find out more by visiting www.marriagecare.org.uk or call 0800 389 3801.
Enquiring about an annulment
If you would like to speak with someone about the process of annulling a marriage, please email tribunal@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or call 0161 817 2202
The hope of our Christian faith provides a real comfort to all of us during the most difficult times of our lives.
If you have a loved one in need of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, or if you need to speak with a priest urgently, we advise you to contact your nearest parish.
Find out more about this sacrament here.
Looking to speak with a Catholic priest? Please approach your local Catholic parish to request a chat with one of our priests.
Need to find a church? Our Online Directory will be able to signpost you to your nearest Catholic parish.
Anyone who has felt God’s call knows that the process is anything but simple and talking through your thoughts and feelings can be a real help during this time.
If you would like to speak to someone about a diocesan vocation to the priesthood or permanent diaconate, our Vocations Directors are on hand to listen and to support.
Email: vocations@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Call: 0161 817 2226.
Find out more about vocations to the priesthood or permanent diaconate here.
Caritas Diocese of Salford
The prayer and worship aspect of Catholic life cannot be separated from the practical way we live out Christ’s call to “love one another” (John 13:34).
We are very grateful to the work of our diocesan charity, Caritas Diocese of Salford, which works tirelessly to show this love in action through its work supporting families and individuals facing challenges around poverty, homelessness, and discrimination in our diocese.
To find out more about its work, please click here.