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Mgr John Nelson introduces Pastoral Areas Since last September, discussions have taken place across the diocese about the shape of Pastoral Areas. Pastoral Councils, individuals and Open Meetings have generated a significant amount of feedback to the Discussion Document in which suggestions were listed. Thank you to everyone who took part: those who sent in their views and those who have continued to support this whole process in prayer. It will not come as a surprise that more feedback came from some parts of the diocese than others and there are a number of reasons which explain that. We would also like to thank the many people who, having expressed their opinion about the right shape for their Pastoral Area, stated their willingness to work with whatever was decided. In the light of what has been received, the shape of many of the Pastoral Areas is different from what was included in the list of suggestions contained in the Discussion Document. In fact, two thirds of the Pastoral Areas are shaped differently and this has come as a direct result of what we have received in letters, parish feedback, responses from schools and e-mails. In this process one of the key factors to be taken into account has been 'viability' for a Pastoral Area. It is clear is that what constitutes viability varies between Areas, for example, rural and urban parts of the diocese. It was pointed out in the Discussion Document that diocesan boundaries were not able to be altered. A number of the comments received noted that people certainly do not feel bound by these and will participate in parish life where it suits them, whether local or in another diocese. This is a fact and it is interesting to note that 45% of the parishes on the mainland in Portsmouth Diocese actually share a border with a neighbouring diocese which inevitably leads to people crossing boundaries - in both directions. However, it is not within our competence to change diocesan boundaries. One particular theme emerged in a lot of the feedback. This was that, although the goal for a Pastoral Area might be clear, in some cases the jump from what we have now to what we would have in the future was too big to manage in one step. This has been taken into account and resulted in the creation of some slightly smaller Pastoral Areas but with the aim of working towards a drawing together with the neighbouring Pastoral Area. There are four examples of this: the two Pastoral Areas in Reading; the two Pastoral Areas in Southampton; the two Pastoral Areas in Bournemouth; the Pastoral Areas of Totton & Waterside and Brockenhurst, Lymington, Lyndhurst, Milford on Sea, New Milton. In each of these, it was essential to hear the voices that proposed a first step with a view to enlarging the Pastoral Area in the future, at a time that they feel is right. From 1 September, Deaneries will not need to exist. Of course, this does not prohibit neighbouring Pastoral Areas liaising on certain issues where they feel this is appropriate. Within each Pastoral Area consideration needs to be given to how this will now move forward and which pastoral issues will be addressed in the light of the Pastoral Plan, Go Out and Bear Fruit. This may include celebrations of Mass across the Area and use of resources. A question has been raised
about the naming of Pastoral Areas. It would make sense for
those within a particular Pastoral Area to suggest to the Bishop
an appropriate name which captures the flavour of that Area and
may be geographical. Although in some cases the previous name of
a Deanery may be the best option, where possible it might be
good to find a new name, partly to differentiate from what went
before. Mgr John Nelson |
