Archbishop of Southwark awards personal medal to parents of Jimmy Mizen

Archbishop John with Margaret and Barry

Source: Archdiocese of Southwark

Archbishop John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark, has presented the Archbishop's Medal to Barry and Margaret Mizen, parents of Jimmy Mizen, for their work for peace and reconciliation through the Mizen Foundation.

Following the tragic murder of their son Jimmy in 2008, Barry and Margaret entrusted themselves to Christ. They founded the Mizen Foundation to promote forgiveness, peace, hope among young people. Their work with schools, parishes and communities has transformed the lives of so many young people - in the Archdiocese of Southwark and beyond.

Presenting the Medal, Archbishop John said: "Through the deepest tragedy imaginable, they have become extraordinary witnesses to the power of faith, hope, and Christian forgiveness... They entrusted themselves to Christ and became ambassadors of reconciliation, peace, and hope".

He continued: "They have shown us that Christian faith is not merely something we profess with our lips, but something that can transform even the darkest experiences into a source of light for others... Their generosity in sharing their story, their commitment to young people, and their tireless work for peace and reconciliation have strengthened the mission of our Archdiocese".

Barry and Margaret said: "We are truly humbled to receive the Archbishop's Medal, and to have been presented with it in front of hundreds of students from Catholic schools, academies and colleges across the Archdiocese of Southwark. We would like to thank the Catenians of Province 7 for their nomination, and Archbishop John for personally presenting the Medal to us.

"From the day we lost our son Jimmy, we have been shown so much love and support. It is that love and support that continues to drive us to share a message of Forgiveness, Peace and Hope. Our love and thanks to everyone involved."

Archbishop John ended by thanking the couple "on behalf of the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese of Southwark", adding: "May God continue to bless you, and may Jimmy's memory remain a blessing and an inspiration to us all".

The Archbishop's Medal is awarded for exceptional service to the life of the Archdiocese of Southwark, especially in schools, parishes and beyond. Barry and Margaret Mizen were nominated for the Medal by the Catenians of Province 7 (Bromley Catenians).

The Medal was presented to Barry and Margaret at the Schools Commencement Mass at St George's Cathedral, so that hundreds of young people from schools across the Archdiocese could join Archbishop John in giving thanks for their life-changing work. Pupils and staff gave Barry and Margaret a standing ovation as they received the award, showing how much their work is valued and admired.

The Mizen Foundation also work with Caritas Southwark, helping to inform and shape the Archdiocese's response to knife crime and youth violence, and the power of forgiveness through faith.

LINKS

Mizen Foundation https://mizenfoundation.org/

Caritas Southwark: https://caritas.rcaos.org.uk/supporting-young-people/