Norfolk and Waveney’s Catholic DEO steps down
After eight years Laurette Burton, the Catholic Denominational Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney, steps down from the role
Laurette Burton (right of picture) has been the Catholic Denominational Ecumenical Officer (DEO) in Norfolk and Waveney for over eight years. She stepped down from the role just after Easter. Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer (CEO) for Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney (NWCT), took the opportunity to ask Laurette to reflect on her time in the role.
Ian: Laurette, you have been the Catholic DEO for Norfolk and Waveney for over eight years, before we get into your experience of that time, can you say a little about yourself?
Laurette: I am a ‘cradle Catholic’, brought up in Ealing, London. For most of my married life I moved often in the British Isles and Germany with my soldier husband Cedric. A peripatetic existence made employment stability difficult, but I eventually trained as a financial services administrator. Cedric left the Army in 2004 after a full career of 34 years and, on moving to Newmarket, we both worked in charities. On final retirement we settled in East Suffolk.
Ian: So why did you become interested in Ecumenism and what attracted you to undertake the role of Catholic DEO?
Laurette: I had no particular interest in ecumenism but in 2014 became a member of the East Anglia Diocesan Commission for Dialogue & Unity. This role provided the initial catalyst for my interest in exploring the beliefs and practices of other Christian denominations and the exchanges that have followed with other Christians have been both informative and interesting. For some 2 years Norfolk & Waveney was without a CEO but, with the appointment of Catherine Howe to the post, I joined her Committee as the Catholic representative. Both my work with Catherine and the other DEOs and meeting people from all over the country at the Churches Together conferences continued to foster my passion for ecumenism.
Ian: Who has been your biggest ecumenical inspiration?
Laurette: Msgr John O’Toole, the Catholic NEO and the late Deacon Clive Brooks, Catholic DEO for Suffolk, provided both help and great encouragement. Catherine Howe too, with her infectious commitment to the task was inspirational.
Ian: As the current County Ecumenical Officer (following on from the splendid work of Catherine) I have found that there is so much joy and reward in being part of the ecumenical effort, but, and I am sure you would agree, there are also some frustrations. Putting that to one side, what do you think are the notable achievements and what has worked well over the last eight years?
Laurette: Ecumenism in Norfolk has waxed and waned over the last 8 years, particularly in Norwich but local and wider ecumenical initiatives flourish. During my time, there are three initiatives that especially come to mind.
First, in addition to the annual Churches Together in England Conferences for all Ecumenical Officers, a Forum is held every 3 years. This gathering attracts over 300 participants including the National Church leaders. The 2022 Forum met not long after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Lord Harrington, recently appointed the Minister for Refugees agreed to a zoom meeting with the Forum delegates who wanted answers on how the arrangements, both for receiving refugees and providing them with accommodation that had been offered, was going to work. It was a wonderful opportunity for Christians from many different denominations to be seen working together in an endeavour to find ways of alleviating the suffering of those caught up in the war.
Secondly, a survey undertaken by the East Anglia Diocesan Commission to gauge local ecumenical activity in our parishes elicited not only a good response but also useful information on the range of initiatives. I shared the report with my fellow DEOs who agreed it had been an especially useful exercise.
And thirdly, The Chain of Prayer, the only ecumenical endeavour for which the Norfolk & Waveney DEOs are responsible, is I believe among notable achievements of the DEO committee during my tenure. Although only open to participants in and around Norwich, it is a unique and ideal activity for ecumenical prayer and cooperation.
Ian: Finally, as you have now stepped down as DEO what are your plans moving forward?
Laurette: My parish responsibilities include catechesis, CAFOD representative, Secretary to the local Christians Together Group and Chair of our Parish Forum. So, having now stepped down from the post of Catholic DEO for Norfolk & Waveney, I will have more time for these other commitments.
Ian: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. On behalf of Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney (NWCT) and our DEO committee, I want to thank you for your wonderful service and contribution to ecumenism as the Catholic DEO in our great county. We all wish you well for the future as you continue with these other important parish commitments.
Pictured above is Laurette Burton standing far right, with a cohort of the Foundation of Faith in the New Evangelisation course back in 2019 on the last study day in Newmarket. The course is not associated with Norfolk and Waveney Churches Together.