Report on the meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council
held at Park Place Pastoral Centre on 8th and 9th March 2002
 

The "Called by Christ" Recommendations - Formation of Clergy
Paul Townsend led the discussion on the Recommendations coming from the policy plan drafted by Vicky Cosstick, a consultant to the Curia, on Clergy Formation. Fundamental to the thinking is that the totality of clergy support should be addressed, covering intellectual and spiritual development - along with human, academic and professional skills. The Recommendations had  been accepted by the Council of Priests in February, but Paul welcomed any further constructive inputs which, as the Episcopal Vicar for the Formation of Clergy (wef September 02), he would take into account. The Council felt the document presented a very positive way forward, reflecting good practices already established in equivalent professional organisations. There was recognition that the formation of clergy would impact on Laity; Parishes needed to have a fuller grasp of the importance of priest formation, the positive benefits of which needed to be promoted. In this respect, effective communication is essential. The feeling was that the formation of  Laity should proceed in parallel with that of  Clergy. The Recommendations concerning Supervision of Clergy and  Sabbaticals were felt to be important  and both will receive greater definition and clarification in on-going work.

"The Challenge"
Mark Hogan gave a presentation on progress in organising "The Challenge", this being an event planned for young people on 29 June 2002 at St Peter’s School, Bournemouth. The stimulus was the perception that liturgy does not seem to include the Youth, and there was little connection between Mass and the way Youth live today. Mark provided an outline of preparations together with a draft programme of events. The Day was basically aimed at those Youth who were already to some extent participating in parish activities. The Day will focus on how we live our life today, and on prayer and spirituality - but it will essentially be a day of fun, with workshops and discussions, concluding with a Christian rock concert. Publicity will be generated at Deanery and Parish level. The Council were very appreciative of the excellent work that Mark, Jocelyn Jones and Julie Meads were doing and wished the venture every success. The follow-on "challenge" will be to hold another, and bigger, Day in 2003.

Re-organisation of the Deaneries
Bishop Crispian’s vision of the Deaneries was one in which there is a cohesive tier of management and is not just a collection of Parishes administered on a one-to-one basis. He saw a need to examine how Deaneries are constituted within the aim of fostering a greater sense of unity and collaboration between constituent Deanery parishes. There was also a need to develop among Parishioners a greater awareness of the Deanery as a pastoral area. A Working Group is to be established under the aegis of the Department of Collaborative Ministry to bring the thinking together and to evaluate the issues.

Members’ Concerns
Angela Waterhouse felt there was a need to pull together various past papers that had been written on the role of the Priest to provide a more concise definition; this would be considered a candidate for a presentation to the next meeting of the Portsmouth Diocesan Pastoral  Council on 22 June 02.

Julie Meads expressed sadness that the residential "Living Your Faith Week" could not be held this year - (accommodation problems plus there was a youth trip to Canada) - but the event was still on the agenda for future years.

Nicky Stevens highlighted the booklet "Landings Training Workshop", which publicised the availability of a service designed to create a welcome landing place for returning Catholics.

Bishop’s Response

Bishop Crispian highlighted:

Formation of Clergy: in the overall debate, it was important to bear in mind that the Diocese is served by one body of Clergy and Laity - who have different but complementary roles.

The Younger Clergy: the Bishop paid tribute to the excellent and positive-thinking qualities of the younger clergy.

Discussion on Deaneries: the Bishop saw the challenge as how to make the Diocese into a more coherent Christ-centred community. He saw the Deaneries having a crucial part in this. Catholics should not see themselves as being "parochial" or "local", but should see themselves part of the expression of community.

Bishop Crispian thanked everyone for their on-going work in formation of what he felt is a very vibrant community, demonstrating a real sense of willingness to answer the Call of Christ in the Diocese of Portsmouth.

J Golden, Minutes Secretary
April 2002