From Parish Life to Police Force: Priest embarks on new challenge with GMP

A diocesan priest is set to take on an exciting new challenge as his ministry takes him from parish life to the thin blue line.

Fr Barry Lomax will be leaving his parish of The Sacred Heart in Westhoughton this summer as he takes up the full-time position of Force Lead Chaplain with Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

For 23 years, Fr Barry has been serving as a volunteer chaplain for GMP, as well as carrying out his work as a parish priest.

However, GMP recently announced it would be recruiting a full-time chaplain for the first time, and Fr Barry felt called to apply.

He said: "Once I was told the job was coming up it was my choice to ask Bishop John if he’d allow me to put my hat in the ring. He agreed it would be a good move for me, especially in light of the 23 years already served with GMP as a volunteer chaplain and my other duties as the National Chaplain to the Catholic Police Guild of England and Wales.

"So, in October 2022 I applied for the newly created full-time post of Force Lead Chaplain and was interviewed March 2023, the day after my 65th birthday, along with several other candidates from all over the country, and I was successfully chosen. The last time I had an interview for a job was 1976 so that was a long-forgotten experience, as usually in our world the bishop just calls you in and tells you where your next appointment will be."

A New Challenge

Despite his years of experience, this job will present new and exciting challenges for Fr Barry as it calls for a more strategic approach to build up, recruit for, and oversee the day-to-day running of a chaplaincy department fit for the second largest Police Force in England and Wales - whilst still delivering the all-important pastoral care to all GMP personnel regardless of their faith or no faith.

Fr Barry explains this provision is becoming increasingly embedded into Force life, with new recruits being introduced to chaplains within their very first days.

He said: "I'll be based at Sedgley Park, our Force Police Training School, where I'm already well known as "Fr. B" who visits and supports the training staff and our latest police student officers as they begin their policing journey.

"On the second day of their induction week, I have the opportunity to talk to our student officers about chaplaincy in general and my role and involvement within the police family.

"It's all about building trust, continuity, and regularity, so people know that if they want to see a chaplain, they can see Fr Barry on a regular day."

As policing evolves in an ever-changing world, officers and specials are facing increasing challenges in the line of duty.

Fr Barry said: "We've got a lot of officers who are doing a job they wanted to do as a dream fulfilled and when they go out onto the streets, they are not always the person most appreciated.

"They can be abused, spat at, sworn at. It's a difficult life and they go into it with the best will in the world. They're doing it from a good place and they're just doing their duty.

"There used to be a time if a police officer was talking to you, you'd stand still and do what you were told. Now, they get an iPhone in their face and someone telling them the law - and they just have to stand there and take it."

A Listening Ear

In addition to the changing times, the general nature of police work and discipline of the institution also places emotional and mental burdens on police personnel, but Fr Barry explains the role of chaplain can provide some much-needed support.

He said: "The role is no different to that of hospital, prison, and armed forces chaplains: you're going along and you're listening. It's about chatting to someone and seeing how they're getting on.

"Because we're slightly apart but also part of it, we're able to see things from a different perspective.

"We also act as a conduit because we take on the rank of the person we're speaking to, so we can ask the questions their rank may prohibit them from asking. I can go to their trainers or superiors and ask these questions and then go back to the officer concerned and give the answer.

"But we're also a listening ear for officers who don't have a lot of people they can go to and talk to.

"If they go to something like a death, it's a very traumatic situation to be in. But they don't show their emotions or let out their feelings, so they just bottle it up.

"Where do you take something like that? You can't speak to your loved ones because they're frightened every time you put that uniform on.

"You don't speak to your colleagues because - although they're probably feeling the same - they don't show it."

The Call of Duty

As Fr Barry begins his work building up the multi-faith chaplaincy for GMP, he urges parishioners and clergy across the diocese to keep the Force in our prayers.

He said: "People often think that police officers have got it all covered and it's all fine and dandy but the reality is quite different.

“They are people going into often stressful situations. Hopefully, especially with our younger officers, should such difficulties arise, we can detect any first signs of possible PTSD before it becomes a problem for them.”

If you would like to find out more about the work of the chaplaincy or how you can get involved, please contact Fr Barry at [email protected]

Fr Barry said: "It's about giving something back to these people, because we're fortunate to have them. They're there for us and we should be there for them."