Fr Paul Smyth, CMF

Fr Paul Smyth, CMF is a priest of the Claretian Missionaries (Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary), ordained on 8 July 1990. As a Claretian missionary, his ministry has combined parish leadership, missionary collaboration, and service to religious life in England and Wales.

He has served in the Claretian parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Hayes (Botwell) in West London, a diverse and multicultural community. There he supported parish renewal, outreach, and engagement with the wider civic and faith community. In a borough marked by religious diversity, he has been involved in fostering dialogue and cooperation among people of different faith traditions, reflecting the Claretian commitment to evangelisation through encounter, respect, and solidarity.

Beyond parish ministry, Fr Paul has played a significant leadership role within religious life nationally. He served as President of the Conference of Religious of England and Wales (CoR), representing religious congregations and promoting collaboration, safeguarding commitment, and shared mission across institutes.

He has also been closely involved in inter-congregational missionary initiatives, notably serving as President of Solidarity with South Sudan, an international project bringing together religious congregations to support education, healthcare training, and pastoral formation in South Sudan. This initiative embodies practical solidarity among religious institutes and with communities facing conflict and poverty.

At present, Fr Paul continues to serve in Claretian ministry in England and Wales, contributing to the life and mission of his congregation while supporting collaborative initiatives within religious life. He remains committed to fostering inter-congregational cooperation, missionary outreach, and dialogue with the wider society.

Through parish ministry, national leadership in the Conference of Religious, and international collaboration in South Sudan, Fr Paul Smyth, CMF, exemplifies the Claretian missionary spirit: rooted in the Gospel, committed to collaboration, and attentive to dialogue with the wider community.