Workshops and guest speakers
Book your place on upcoming workshops with local creative practitioners and talks by visiting clergy on a wide range of topics via the Cathedral’s TicketSource page.
Find out moreOctober & November 2025 – Before planning your visit, please see our ‘Visitor Notices’ page for any temporary changes to opening hours and accessibility updates. Click here to visit.
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NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
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A BEACON OF LIGHT
Jagged Edges: Art explores the connection between church abuse survivors and the story of Jesus
Published October 2025
Survivors of church-based abuse have drawn on their experiences to create powerful and thought-provoking artwork, now on display at Newcastle Cathedral.
Scheduled to run through Safeguarding Sunday on 16 November, ‘Jagged Edges’ is available to visit until Wednesday 26 November, featuring linocut prints, music and poetry that explore themes of trauma, faith and healing.
‘Jagged Edges’ invites visitors to view Jesus’ suffering through a new lens – as a story of abuse, as well as of divine love and solidarity with those who have been harmed.
Created by artists David Creese, Peter Locke and Sarah Troughton, and developed in collaboration with the Diocese of Newcastle’s Chaplaincy to Survivors, the project aims to engage with survivors and support others within the Church in better understanding and responding to their experiences, thereby building confidence and compassion within church communities.
Maggi Creese, Lead Officer for the Chaplaincy to Survivors, explains: “The stories of survivors of abuse – who have been betrayed by the very institutions and leaders they trusted – are very familiar to Christians.
“The central story of our faith is one of betrayal, condemnation and crucifixion, with the complicity of religious authorities. These Gospel Passion narratives, which provide the contents for the Stations of the Cross, speak powerfully to the experiences of those who have suffered harm within the Church.”
In ‘Jagged Edges’, each survivor has interpreted the Gospel Passion narratives through their own medium – linocut, music or poetry – to co-create a deeply personal and collective Stations of the Cross.
Maggi continues: “The title ‘Jagged Edges’ reflects the distinct and sometimes dissonant elements of survivors’ experiences – experiences that overlap but do not fit neatly together.
“It speaks to the tension between God’s love and the harm done in God’s name, and to the reality that many survivors engage with the Church from its margins, because that is where they feel safest.”
Above: Artworks from the series of linoprints, including ‘Anguish and Solace’ by Sarah Troughton.
Pre-bookable creative workshops inspired by ‘Jagged Edges’ will take place in early November and are open to everyone. (Please note: spaces are limited so pre-booking is strongly advised.)
- Saturday 1 November, 10am-4pm
Calming the Storm: A Workshop Using Visio-Divina and Mindful Photography to Explore ‘Jagged Edges’
- Tuesday 4 November, 2-4pm
Writing into Hope: Creative Writing Workshop with Kate Fox, Inspired by ‘Jagged Edges’
- Sunday 9 November, 1:30-4pm
Reflecting on your Relationship with Christ through the Medium of Linoprint
The exhibition will later tour additional venues, with details of a high-profile next location to be announced soon.
Maggi was appointed to lead the newly launched Chaplaincy to Survivors in November 2023. Speaking of the service, Maggi says, “What we are doing is new. It is a significant step and one which underlines our commitment to supporting survivors and building strong church communities where everyone feels safe.”
For press enquiries, please contact Peter Cumiskey, Marketing & Communications Manager for Newcastle Cathedral, at peter.cumiskey@newcastlecathedral.org.uk.