Blackburn Cathedral says work is under way to overhaul safeguarding after an audit found serious failings, as its Interim Dean used the church’s annual meeting to admit the past year had been “extraordinarily difficult”.
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In his address to the 2026 Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Revd Canon Andrew Horsfall said 2025 had brought “challenges of a profound and painful kind” for the Cathedral community, but insisted Blackburn Cathedral was continuing into its centenary year with “hope and determination”.
Among the biggest issues raised was the publication of the INEQE Safeguarding Audit, which Horsfall said identified failures in the Cathedral’s safeguarding culture and made clear that “urgent and comprehensive reform” was needed.
He said the Cathedral had accepted the findings in full and had already started work in response. That includes appointing new Chapter members with safeguarding expertise, setting up a Safeguarding Improvement Board and strengthening partnership with the Diocese in the management of safeguarding casework.
Horsfall also referred to the suspension of the Very Revd Peter Howell-Jones under the Clergy Discipline Measure, describing the situation as unsettling and upsetting for many people. He said the proper processes must be allowed to run their course.
The Interim Dean said his role was to serve the Cathedral through a period of uncertainty with “pastoral care, transparency, and a steady commitment to the wellbeing of this community”.
He also warned that Cathedral finances remain tight. Horsfall said Chapter had made a “clear and firm commitment” that no new projects would be taken on unless funding was already in place or formally promised through grants.
He said running a building on the scale of Blackburn Cathedral, while maintaining its ministry and wider work, continued to put pressure on resources.
Despite that, Horsfall said 2025 had also seen real achievements. He pointed to Luke Jerram’s Gaia installation, which drew thousands of visitors into the Cathedral, along with ongoing music, worship and community events in Blackburn and across the diocese.
He praised staff and volunteers for continuing to “show up” through audits, headlines and disruption, singling out everyone from virgers and musicians to administrators, tour guides, flower arrangers and the Checks & Greys team.
Horsfall said Chapter was now working on stronger staffing structures, including clearer roles, more consistent line management and a wellbeing strategy for staff.
Looking ahead, he said the Cathedral was starting work on a new Vision and Values Statement and a Strategic Plan, with input promised from the congregation, staff, volunteers and the wider community of supporters.
The address was delivered as Blackburn Cathedral marks its centenary year in 2026.
