Report on the Meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council
held at Park Place Pastoral Centre on the 6th and 7th of April 2001

The Diocesan Pastoral Council
Elections were held for the posts of chairperson, vice chairperson and for two members of the executive. Members of the executive are as follows – Graham Dorey (chairperson), Paul Townsend (vice chairperson), Angela Wills (elected), Nina Lake (elected), Bishop Crispian and John Nelson. New members of the Council include Joy Ellis, nominated by the Bishop to achieve a greater ecumenical presence, Kathryn Turner (the editor of Portsmouth People) and Marie Crispin, the new lay representative from the Portsmouth Deanery. The congratulations and best wishes of the group were conveyed to the new Bishop of Clifton who had been instrumental in the genesis and formation of the Council. The assurance of the prayers and love of the group were conveyed to Sister Bernadette Duggan who has now resigned from her post as Head of the Department for Catechesis due to illness.

The Pastoral Review of Deaneries
John O'Shea, Julie Meads (from the Department for Catechesis) and Sheila Hughes (a consultant to the Curia) have drafted a process that would invite and enable each Deanery to evaluate its condition and needs by describing present practice, exploring concerns, describing the ideal in the light of the Bishop's vision and discerning a means of moving closer to that ideal in the light of a wider review. Prioritisation of actions and support requirements together with identified leaders and timescales will be sought. Such a process would be undertaken as a work of discernment within the context of prayer and reflection, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The process is predicated on the Curial structure and makes recognition of parish employees and volunteers and the issues of health and safety and Child Protection procedures. The Pastoral Council warmly endorsed the implementation of such a process with the qualification that such an evaluation includes the ecumenical consideration "How do we share this with the other Churches in our community?" The Pastoral Review of Deaneries was accepted in principle and will be presented to the meeting of Deans in May and to the meeting of the Council of Priests in June. The project will be particularly welcome in those deaneries where important decisions on Sunday Mass provision and building developments make this a particular urgency. John O'Shea will take leadership of the further refining of this process and will be assisted by Julie Meads, Sheila Hughes and volunteers from the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Patricia Cox, on behalf of the Department for Catechesis, gave a presentation on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This began with a Scripture reading and dramatization and was followed by an explanation of the history and early practice of the Church, an account of the restoration of the adult Catechumenate with the Second Vatican Council and its implementation in the diocese of Portsmouth as well as an outline of the stages and steps of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is an adaptable and gradual process of conversion focused on lectionary-based catechesis and accommodated to the liturgical year. There is an imperative for open and welcoming communities which understand that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptized. The Department for Catechesis offers training and guidance for parishes who offer the RCIA. Some enthusiasm for the RCIA has waned and not all parishes have yet adopted it as the model for initiation. Only forty parishes from thirteen deaneries sent catechumens and candidates to the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion this year. The Department for Catechesis suggested that the Rite needs to be revitalized in our diocese, encouraged and developed in the deaneries. An RCIA Conference or Summer School in 2004 was mooted. The proposal that there is a need to implement the RCIA throughout our diocese was accepted, and it was recognized that this initiative should be promoted with energy and enthusiasm by the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Bishop, using a mechanism to be defined by the Department for Catechesis. Patricia Cox and a small team, which will also be comprised of members of the Council, will draw up specific proposals for consideration at the meeting in June.

Members' Concerns
Francis Connolly spoke of the proposed changes to local authorities and the implications for involvement in the decision making processes with particular reference to education. He has taken up this issue with the Catholic Education Service and with Sister Mary Jo Martin, the Head of the Schools Department. This is an important issue with scope for involvement at Deanery level. Volunteers as representatives on possible scrutiny committees would be needed. Sister Mary Jo would welcome such volunteers. Training and support are given.

Bishop's Presentation
Bishop Crispian paid warm tribute to the contributions of Declan Lang, now Bishop of Clifton, and Sister Bernadette Duggan. He also spoke of his confidence and optimism in working in collaboration with the Diocesan Pastoral Council in continuing to build up communion in the diocese and being a powerful instrument for mission. The mandate Christ has given us is at the heart of all shared endeavour.

The next meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council will take place at Kiln Green on Saturday the 30th of June 2001.

Mary Ambler 8 April 2001