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Report on the meeting of
the Diocesan Pastoral
Council
held at Park Place Pastoral Centre on 4/5 October 2002
Role of the
Ordained Deacon
The Council is currently addressing the role and formation of the
Ordained Deacon, the Ordained Priest and the Laity and how these three
elements inter-act to proclaim the Ministry of Christ. The Deacon (or
Diaconate) and the Priest were the subject of detailed discussion at
this seminar and the role of the Laity will be examined at the next
meeting of the Council in March 2003. Regarding the Ordained Deacon, a
Diocesan Working Party, led by Steve Melhuish, Arch Deacon, is
undertaking a wide ranging review of the many and varied issues
pertaining to the Diaconate, including selection, role, training and
formation of candidates. Particular attention is being afforded to what
support the Diocese should give them after they are ordained. Courses
are available, as there are for Clergy, but the Deacons' job commitments
pose difficulties of attendance. The intention is to conclude the review
and present written guidelines for consultation and agreement - ready
for next year's candidates. Following a presentation by Paul
Lindsay-Scott, (Permanent Deacon in the Deanery of Aldershot), on a
personal interpretation of the functions of the Deacon, the ensuing
debate by Members accepted that the good works performed by Deacons were
able to be performed by the Laity, including women, with no less
dedication and effectiveness than if performed by Deacons. Some of the
points which emerged from group discussion included Deacons have the
potential to dis-empower Laity; restriction of the Diaconate to males is
counter productive; the Diaconate confuses the role inter-play of Priest
and Deacon - but can provide assistance to the PP by freeing him for
other work; the existence of the Diaconate highlights the need to
elevate other Ministries of Service. All points will feed in to the WP's
deliberations.
Role of the Ordained Priest
Paul Townsend, the Episcopal Vicar, gave a brief history of the early
Church and of Ordained Priesthood, and how it had changed over the
centuries. In the early years of the Church, the Priest had been very
much part of the community he served, but over the centuries had became
more detached and set apart. Now, there is a return to the community but
there is a less well- defined definition of his role. Drawing on the
text used in the "Ordination of Bishops", Paul examined "The Role of the
Ordained Priest in the Community". The ensuing group discussion
considered the Priest represents the visible and recognisable force in
the community for enabling and encouraging that community to function -
his presence is vital in creating unity. However there was an increasing
need for people to recognise that the centrality of the Priest could
change, resulting from the shortage of clergy. Greater emphasis on
training Priests with "people" skills was highlighted in order to align
their development with the changing scenario. These, and other thoughts,
will be taken into account in shaping the guidance Paul is preparing on
the Formation of Clergy.
Communication Interchange
More thought is being given to ways of strengthening the two-way linkage
between the Diocesan PC and the Deanery PCs, Parishes and Schools on
pastoral matters and policy issues to enable a real sharing of
responsibility by the Clergy and the Laity with the Bishop. The need is
to promote a greater flow of communication. Central to this is the aim
for the Curial Departments to make the fruits of their work more visible
so as to constructively engage the Deaneries more.
Members' Concerns
Following the successful Youth "Challenge" Day at Bournemouth on 29
June, it has been agreed in principle to fund a Ministry Team in the
Diocese to build on and take forward Youth-centred projects.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Portsmouth Diocesan Pastoral Council will take
place on 28/29 March 2003 at Park Place
J Golden
PCDP Minute Secretary 18 October 2002 |
