Hertfordshire: Archbishop Nichols visits St Elizabeth's

Archbishop Vincent, CEO James Connolly, Sister Superior Annette Clemence

The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, visited St Elizabeth's Centre, near Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire yesterday. St Elizabeth's is one of the only centres for adults with epilepsy in the country. It was established in 1903 and is administered by the Daughters of the Cross of Liège.

St Elizabeth's is a centre of excellence employing over 600 staff providing care, education, vocational training and life skills that reduce dependence and maximise the ability for very vulnerable people to lead a more fulfilling life. The Centre specialises in the fields of epilepsy, associated neurological disorders and other complex medical conditions with a residential School, FE College and Adult Care Services providing vital support, including intensive health and therapy, for nearly 200 people of all ages who have learning disabilities.

The Archbishop celebrated a lively Mass in the Centre’s packed chapel and then met pupils, students and residents in classes, at social or leisure activities or in their own homes.

James Connolly, the Chief Executive of St Elizabeth's said: “The Archbishop clearly enjoyed his day and everyone here clearly enjoyed his company. He had time for everybody and was very encouraging of our work. Our ethos, based on gospel values, recognises especially vulnerable people, irrespective of background, ability or belief, to be unique individuals who should be valued, supported and enabled to maximise their personal potential in all areas of life. The Archbishop paid tribute to the Daughters of the Cross in meeting this objective so successfully for the last 100 years, and offered prayers that their example and heritage would be nurtured and continue to flourish at St Elizabeth's for so long as such needs continue to exist”.