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Report on the meeting of
the Diocesan Pastoral
Council
held at
St Swithun's Pastoral Centre, Yateley on 21st June 2003
PCDP Meeting Protocol
Graham Dorey, the Chair, explained that arising out of discussions at the last
PCDP Meeting, certain changes in protocol had now been introduced to achieve
greater continuity between meetings (ie inclusion of 'Review of the Last Meeting'
and 'Matters Arising'). There is a new process for dealing with major issues
through consultation with the Deaneries. In addition, Scripture passages read
at Council meetings, where the Living Word of God inspires our work, will be
more relevant to and integrated more with matters under discussion. The main
procedural change concerns the introduction of "Position Papers" -
these being specially commissioned papers appraising particular areas of concern.
The sequential process will be that the Paper will first be considered by the
PCDP, would then be subject to consultation with the Deaneries, and then be
updated and returned to the PCDP for final discussion, consensual endorsement
and allocation of actions. The first of such papers, "Emerging
Patterns of Lay Leadership" will be fielded later in the meeting.
Review of Last Meeting (28 and 29 March 2003)
Graham Dorey said that work had been set in hand in reviewing the Role and
the Effectiveness of the PCDP; this was covered by a later Agenda item.
On the general question of Communications, action would now be taken
to develop a website to assist inter-sessional discussion by PCDP Members and
generally disseminate information and share knowledge and pastoral experience.
On the Deanery Pastoral Review Process, this is an important area to
progress and when all the requested Deanery Status Reports have been received,
there would be a full discussion by the PCDP.
Matters Arising
Angela Wills said that the Department for Collaborative Ministry have produced
a "Handbook for Parish Pastoral Councils" containing practical guidance
for parishes to develop as communities. A copy goes to each Council Member plus
6 to each parish. Comments on the booklet are welcomed, and in due course it
will be updated.
Complementing this, Angela reported that "Deanery Pastoral Council Workshops"
will take place on 28 June and on 12 July when the Collaborative Ministry Team
meet with Deanery Representatives to review how their respective PCs are working
and to share experiences.
Fran Ross (Dept for Collaborative Ministry) said that a Deanery-based adult
formation course has been introduced - "Following Christ Today",
comprising a series of sessions to deepen understanding of Catholic tradition.
Members were given an explanatory leaflet to promote in the Deaneries.
Fran Ross reported a project that is about to be launched looking at the difficulties
encountered and the hurt this may cause when 2 parishes are ministered by one
priest. This will examine case histories and draw on experiences.
Angela Wills announced that a "Diocesan Assembly" will be held between
27 and 30 July 2005. Planning is very much in the exploratory stages - all ideas
will be welcome!
Peter Ryder ((East Berkshire) reported the East Berkshire Deanery had been reorganised
into 2 new Deaneries: "South Berkshire" and "Windsor and Maidenhead".
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Role of the PCDP - Working Party Progress Report
Christine McGrew (Fareham) said the Working Party had met on 29 April. Some
progress had been made, and had been implemented as outlined, but improvements
would be continuous and work on-going. An important aspect is to promote a two-way
information exchange with Deaneries, and this is one of the aims behind producing
"Position Papers". Arising out of the discussions, it was agreed to
produce a Position Paper on "Funding of Education in Catholic Schools"
as this is an area some Members had voiced concerns on.
Members' Concerns
In response to Paul King's (Vale of the White Horse) Concern, it was agreed
to prepare a Position Paper appraising the whole complex scenario where there
is no priest to administer the Holy Eucharist - resulting in the basic options
of "bussing in" parishioners to a large Mass Centre or utilising Eucharistic
Ministers within parishioners' own community.
Paul King sought guidance on those circumstances where parish clusters which
crossed Diocesan boundaries made equal sense to intra-Diocesan clustering. The
Chair will seek a ruling from Bishop Crispian.
"Emerging Patterns of Lay Leadership"
Angela Wills and Nicky Stevens presented an expansive Position Paper on "Emerging
Patterns of Lay Leadership". This discusses the role of the Laity in
the work of Christian Communion and Mission in the Diocese. In accordance with
the process for dealing with Position Papers, it is to be taken by Council Members
back to their Deaneries for consultation, with comments to be rendered to the
Dept for Collaborative Ministry by end July. The Paper will then be refreshed
and presented to the next meeting of the PCDP (3 and 4 October). Council Members'
initial reaction recognised that Lay Ministers needed to have visible, discernable
authority, and that the debate needed to engage the full support of the Clergy.
The next meeting of the Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Portsmouth will
take place on 3 and 4 October 2003
(Signed) J Golden PCDP Minutes Secretary 5th July 2003 |
