Funding the Oratory

We Rely on You

We rely on the generosity of our congregation and supporters for the upkeep and good repair of our unique church including its architecture, decoration and music. The funding initiatives, with related figures and statistics, described in this website refer only to the Oratory church and parish.

We welcome general donations for the Oratory church, which will be allocated at the discretion of the Provost and Trustees of the London Oratory Charity. We also very much welcome donations which you specify are to support a particular area or project. See our Fundraising Campaigns.

Our Financial Status

The London Oratory is financially dependent on what it receives in donations from parishioners, visitors and friends. In some countries, Italy for example, the State pays for the maintenance and repair of Catholic churches. This is not the case in the UK. The Fathers of the London Oratory own the Oratory church and the land it is built on, and we are entirely responsible for every aspect of its upkeep, maintenance and repair, internally and externally.

Contrary to what is often wrongly assumed, we do not receive any financial support either from the Vatican nor from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster of which the Oratory parish is a part, and at whose request the Oratory parish is run by the Fathers of the Oratory. Together with all other parishes in the Diocese of Westminster we also make an annual financial contribution, according to our means, to the running of the diocese and its various public charities. We also contribute annually to Peter’s Pence and other public funds administered by the Holy See in Rome.

Gift Aid - Helping the Oratory

If you are a UK taxpayer, the Oratory can claim back from HMRC 25p for every £1 you give, at no cost or inconvenience to you. Setting up a Gift Aid arrangement helps the Oratory to increase its income, which is much needed for the upkeep of the church and for the many pastoral activities in the parish.

Click here for a Gift Aid Declaration - for past, present & future donations.

Click here for a Gift Aid Declaration - single donation.

St Raphael’s Fund

The St Raphael’s Fund exists for the training and support of our novices and students. Each Oratory is independent and has to support itself. So in order to continue the work of St Philip Neri in London, we rely entirely upon your help. We have to cover both the Seminary fees and the day-to-day expenses that come with housing and feeding novices and students.

The Fathers say a Mass once a month for our benefactors and so your generosity is rewarded by our prayers. Let us pray that through the intercession of Our Lady and St Philip, God will continue to call men to us so that His work here may continue to prosper, both now and in the years to come.

Contributions may be delivered to Oratory House. Please make cheques payable to “The London Oratory Charity” with a note explaining that your contribution is for St Raphael’s Fund.

May Our Lady and St Philip reward you for your generosity.

ways to donate

There are several simple and secure ways to support the Brompton Oratory through a donation. The most convenient method is to give online via the link below, where one-off or regular monthly contributions can be set up quickly and safely.

For those who prefer, donations can also be made by cheque, payable to “The London Oratory”, and sent directly to the parish office. If you are a UK taxpayer, completing a Gift Aid form allows the Oratory to reclaim an additional 25p for every £1 donated, at no extra cost to you.

For larger contributions, including legacies or specific project support, the parish office would be delighted to provide further guidance.

However you choose to give, your generosity helps preserve and sustain the life and mission of the Brompton Oratory.

CONTACTLESS GIVING

We have installed two cashless Giving Stations at the back of the Oratory, so that you can easily use your credit or debit card or smartphone to make donations to support the running of our church. You can use these machines every week to make your regular contribution, or simply to make one-off donations. On special collection days, they can also be used to support particular appeals. In addition to the two fixed machines, we also have a number of portable Giving Stations, which our collectors will make available at the church exit doors, particularly on special collection days.

To use the machines, simply choose an amount to give, and tap your card or smartphone on the card reader at the top of the box. If you want to specify a custom amount, select “Choose your own amount”, enter the amount you wish to give, and proceed to tap as usual. You can alternatively insert your card into the top of the reader and enter your PIN on the keypad.