The following are reports to members of the Diocese and the general public on
the progress of Graced by the Spirit.
These will be updated as the reports are drafted and submitted.
1st Press Release
The Diocese of Westminster has launched, under the title “Graced by the
Spirit” a diocesan wide consultation concerning its future pastoral plan. This
forms a second stage in the Cardinal’s planning for the future of the Diocese
of Westminster. The Cardinal wished the first stage to be open to everyone in
the diocese and have, as its priority, the spiritual and pastoral renewal of the
faithful. As a result of a consultation in the Diocese conducted during 2002,
“At Your Word, Lord” has already been initiated. That programme is now
entering the second of five seasons and will conclude in Autumn 2005.
This second phase concerns the best provision for the pastoral and
sacramental life of the Diocese and for evangelisation. In a letter to priests
working in parishes, in December 2003, the Cardinal said:
“At Your Word, Lord is the beginning of a wide-ranging process of
spiritual and pastoral renewal which will continue. Another important part
of that renewal must include a careful review of the present situation in
the Diocese and our resources, so that we may plan for the best pastoral
care of the people of the Diocese and our future mission of evangelisation.”
The Cardinal has again called for the widest possible consultation of
priests, religious and laity. In letters inviting parishes to hold “Open
Meetings”, it was said:
“The Cardinal is concerned that our future planning must be open to all
ideas and opinions. The suggested questions may prompt wider discussions,
which are to be welcomed. In these months of consultation it is hoped that a
broad range of voices will be heard so that the best possible decisions may
be made. Please do whatever you can to encourage participation.”
A small steering group has proposed a series of steps for the consultation,
which should be completed late in 2005. Following the consultations, there will
be a Green Paper (late Summer 2004) setting out a scheme which will be open for
revision and comment before any decisions are finally made. In explaining its
purpose, the Steering Group said:
“The group considered how other Dioceses had approached their future
planning. Most Dioceses have already faced serious questions of manpower and
resources. Their approach has varied a great deal, both in the priorities
that they wished to consider and the means they employed for their planning.
We took a view, early on, that consultation is vital. Consultation gives
sound knowledge of the local church, drawn from the people who live there
and it also values people and their opinions, giving them the opportunity to
shape their own future to a greater extent.”
Two factors in particular are expected to impact significantly on plans for
the future: the shift of the Catholic population and the decreasing number of
priests available for pastoral appointments. The nature and timing of any
developments which may be necessary in a given parish or community must include
very careful consideration of the history of that parish or community as well as
the gifts and aspirations of its members. This is the purpose of the
consultation process.
Interim Report
The overall tenor of the response was one of optimism and great faith, pride
in the past, but a need to look to the future with faith’. This comment, from
one of over 160 parish reports received so far, captures the spirit and
atmosphere of this process. The Analysis Group set up to read and reflect on all
the reports is now studying all the submissions from parishes and individuals.
We await with interest the reports from deanery meetings and other special
consultations.
Although the reports differ in style and length, and reflecting the variety
of pastoral situations found in the diocese, they have in common a sense of
faith, and a willingness to face a future that will be different from the past.
There is recognition that change will be needed and openness to new ways of
organising parish life and mission.
Our task in analysing the reports is made easier by the fact that the main
themes coming through the majority of reports are obvious. Some of the headlines
include:
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Our parishes in the future need to be vibrant, dynamic, welcoming and inclusive, especially in liturgy and prayer.
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There is recognition that we all share responsibility for the faith and life of our parishes.
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This means more lay leadership and more paid pastoral staff in parishes.
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There will be different structures for organising parish life, so that decision-making is not dependant on priests.
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There will be greater sharing of resources and activities between neighbouring parishes.
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Faith sharing groups are one of the most valuable ways that parishes grow. Almost every report affirmed that ‘At Your Word, Lord’ has had an impact.
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Better communication is needed everywhere – between parishes, from the Diocese, between priests and people.
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Many parishes are aware of the challenges of their local context; rural
communities at some distance from each other; inner city communities with a mix
of city visitors and local immigrant communities; central London parishes that
welcome a high volume of visitors; neighbourhoods with Muslim or Jewish
communities.
- Parish schools are a strength and resource: a vital part of the parish and a service to the local community.
There are also questions, fears and dilemmas evident in the reports.
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The biggest challenge comes from recognising that there will be fewer priests in years to come.
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Views differ about whether it is better in the future to merge parishes or to
retain each parish as a community even if priests must be shared.
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There is concern about vocations and recognition of how difficult it is to
present the priesthood as an attractive option in today’s culture.
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Some are fearful of change; others are fearful that we are not engaging young
people as we need to. But even where there are fears, people are willing to face
challenges.
The work of analysing, summarising and reflecting on the reports will
continue. If any parish has not yet sent in a report, it is not too late.
Interesting contributions are also coming from individual correspondents, and
these help build a broader picture. Over the summer, the analysis group will
draw together the big picture emerging from this stage of consultation. This
will be published in the Autumn. We have learned from the parish reports that
many people have enjoyed being consulted and want clear feedback and information
about what happens as a result. This brief report is the first step in that
feedback. We will make sure feedback continues so that everyone in the diocese
has an opportunity to join in this process of shaping how the diocese will work
in the future.
Pat Jones
Chair
Graced by the Spirit Analysis Group
Summary for Parish Bulletins
‘Graced by the Spirit’ is the process of reflection on the future shape
of the Diocese. Parishes and deaneries have been invited to discuss key
questions and send in their responses to a Diocesan Analysis Group. So far, over
160 reports have been received and analysed.
The reports show that most parishes recognise the challenges to come. Fewer
priests will mean different ways of organising parish life. Attitudes are
changing; laypeople will need to take on more leadership. What matters most is
that parishes continue to grow in faith even if their size and structures
change. There is also a sense of mission with many examples of parishes reaching
out to their local communities. Most people are hopeful about the future and
ready for new ways of working.
The next step in the process is a ‘White Paper’ which will be published
in the Autumn and widely circulated so that everyone in the Diocese can play a
part in shaping its future.
