Our Members
Archbishop John Wilson, born on 4 July 1968 in Sheffield, has had a distinguished journey in his religious and academic life. He embarked on his path to priesthood at the Venerable English College, Rome, in 1989, after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and religious studies at the University of Leeds. His seminary training was enriched with a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a Licence in Moral Theology from the Accademia Alfonsiana, leading to his ordination as a deacon on 13 July 1994 by Bishop Cyril Restieaux, and as a priest on 29 July 1995 by Bishop David Konstant. His early ministry included roles as Assistant Priest and chaplain across various parishes and institutions, demonstrating his commitment to serving the community through diverse pastoral and educational engagements.
Ascending through the ranks of the Church, Archbishop Wilson’s contributions extended beyond parish duties to significant academic and administrative roles. Notably, his tenure as a Lecturer in moral theology at St Cuthbert’s Seminary, Ushaw College, and his completion of a PhD at Durham University, underscore his academic dedication. His ecclesiastical journey saw him appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster in 2015 and later as Archbishop of Southwark in 2019 by Pope Francis, marking significant milestones in his service to the Church. Throughout his career, Archbishop Wilson has been deeply involved in education, evangelisation, and ecumenical dialogue, reflecting his broad vision for the Church’s role in contemporary society.
Monsignor Gerald Ewing, serving as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Southwark, plays a pivotal role in guiding the canonical and administrative processes within the diocese, acting on the Archbishop’s behalf. Educated in London, his journey to priesthood began in 1973, culminating in ordination in 1981. With a rich background in ecumenical projects, chaplaincy, and education, alongside his academic achievements in theology, education, and canon law, Monsignor Ewing’s extensive experience supports his dedication to the pastoral life and mission of the Archdiocese. His roles, both current and previous, reflect a deep commitment to the community, emphasizing personal contact with clergy, religious, and parishioners.
Fr Victor Darlington has been a dedicated servant to the Archdiocese of Southwark since 2006, initially serving as Assistant Priest at English Martyrs Church in Strood and later as Parish Priest at Sacred Heart Church in Camberwell. His deep commitment to the Camberwell community was further recognized in 2019 when he was appointed Dean of Camberwell, a role he held until June 2022. In 2021, his leadership expanded as he was named Episcopal Vicar of the Commission for Promoting Racial Justice and Cultural Inclusion, alongside his duties as one of the presiding Deans of the South East area. Born into a devout Catholic family in Ibadan, Nigeria, Fr Victor’s early calling to the priesthood was nurtured through his education at Saint John Bosco’s College and seminary formation at Saints Peter and Paul Seminary in Ibadan, leading to his ordination in 1990.
Fr Victor’s academic achievements include a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan, and advanced degrees in Sacred Theology and Sacred Scripture from prestigious institutions in Rome. His expertise as a Biblical Scholar has seen him lecture extensively, both in the UK and internationally, focusing on the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Beyond his academic and ecclesiastical contributions, Fr Victor has been a vocal advocate against knife crime and for racial justice and cultural inclusion, leveraging community initiatives and parish-based projects to foster diversity and equality. His personal interests include long walks, spending time with friends, and enjoying a wide range of music, from afrobeat to classical.
Bishop Gerard Bradley, appointed as Episcopal Vicar for the South West Area in July 2022, brings a wealth of experience to his role. His background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Music from King’s College London, ordination as a priest in 1991, and various positions such as assistant priest, full-time hospital chaplain, and formation staff member at St John’s Seminary. His responsibilities have spanned from spiritual formation to teaching Music and Liturgy, showcasing a dedication to both pastoral care and education within the church.
Our Executive Team
John has a wealth of successful experience in education across every age range, across multiple curriculums, in both state and private education and within the Catholic sector.
Upon qualifying with a Chemistry BSC from Kings’ College, London and a PGCE from Durham University, John commenced his teaching career as a Chemistry teacher in London, working his way ‘through the ranks’, within the UK state sector. In 2011, he was appointed Headteacher at La Retraite School in London. La Retraite was awarded ‘Outstanding’ status by OFSTED in only his second year of headship. The school consistently found itself at the top of the Local Authority examination performance league tables, before winning the coveted National Pupil Premium Award (the only National Award contested by the 2368 secondary schools in England and Wales) on the strength of its public examination performance in 2015.
John left the UK for Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates in 2015, to become the Founding Principal of the Sheik Zayed Academy for Boys (SZPAB). Four years later he was appointed Superintendent of SZPAB and its sister school SZPAG, together serving some 3000 students from ages 3 to 18. Both schools were judged to be Band A, High Performing Schools under the Abu Dhabi Inspection Framework with SZPAB becoming the first ‘through school’ in the UAE to achieve Apple Distinguished School status in 2018. John was shortlisted, in consecutive years, in the Best Principal category of the UAE Schools Compared Awards.
On returning to the UK, John remained as Education Advisor to the Sheikh Zayed Academies in Abu Dhabi and became the Assessment Director for the Emirati Educational Leadership Programme.
Most recently, John successfully stepped in as interim Headteacher of St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School in Mortlake, while the school sought to appoint a permanent Headteacher.
John brings a vast array of educational experience, in terms of leadership and change management including his previous qualification as both an OFSTED and International School inspector. He is eager to use this experience to establish the Christ the Redeemer Catholic Education Trust as a force for educational excellence in South-West London.
Details to follow
Key Documents
Details of our Trust’s Governance arrangements can be found in the following documents: