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Friday, November 26, 2004
Church to tackle flock’s concerns
By Aileen Mulhall
THE Catholic Church in Waterford is drawing up an action plan to tackle the concerns of its flock at the dwindling number of priests in the Diocese, the alienation of young people from the Church and sharp decline of numbers attending Masses.
These concerns are just some of the views highlighted by more than 3,000 Catholics, who took part in the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore’s unique six-month consultation with its flock. The Report on the Listening Process is to form the basis of the Diocese’s proposed pastoral action plan for the future.
This blueprint will provide for much greater involvement of lay people in the Church’s ministry and administration in parishes to compensate for the shortage of priests and also to involve ordinary Catholics more in the life of their church.
Apart from the alienation of young people, shortage of priests and decline of Mass attendances, participants in the Listening Process also voice concern at the harm caused by the scandals in the Church and anger at the way they have been handled.
According to the report, many also feel frustrated and angry that women are excluded from positions of influence in the Church and call for women to be involved in decision making at all levels in parishes and the diocese.
Many participants also voice dissatisfaction with the materialistic ethos of society today and stated that the Church and Christian values and creation of community spirit in parishes were more important than ever.
But they voice deep appreciation of the great work priests do in their parishes. Despite the scandals in the Church there were many expressions of concern and support for the majority of priests “unjustly placed under a cloud of criticism and suspicion”.
However, participants fear that the future of the Church in this county is “precarious” because of the dwindling number of clergy. They feel this has serious implications for the future of parishes and fear churches will close.
Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Most Rev. Dr William Lee says he is extremely pleased with the response to the Listening Process. “It was quite an extraordinary statement from the people about their concerns and also the fact that they are deeply interested in the future of the Church and are deeply appreciative of being asked for their views,” he said.
The Pastoral Plan is only in the process of being drawn up, but Bishop Lee is taking immediate action on a number of fronts in response to the report.
The setting up of a special Ministry of Youth in the diocese to encourage young people back into the Church is being discussed as a matter of urgency.
Bishop Lee said the Diocese needed to find ways of encouraging young people to get involved in the Church through such activities as choirs, preparation of the liturgy and representation on pastoral councils.
He has also appointed a Director of Pastoral Development, Fr Liam Power, who will co-ordinate the training and formation of pastoral ministries around the Diocese.
Work is, meanwhile, progressing on setting up pastoral councils in all parishes in the diocese. These councils are separate to parish finance committees and are responsible for developing spiritual ministry in their communities. A specially trained group is to assist parishes in setting up these councils.
Bishop is also setting up a team to support the planning and preparation of parish liturgies in response to the “significant dissatisfaction” expressed during the Listening Process about church liturgy failing to connect with people’s lives.
Listening process report is now freely available
• A TOTAL of 15,000 copies of the Listening Process Report have been published and are available free of charge in all 45 parishes of the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore.
• Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Most Rev. Dr. William Lee has encouraged Catholics to read the report, which is available at churches and presbyteries around the county.
• The Listening Process was series of 12 consultation meetings between the Church and Catholics from all walks of life in the Diocese, who voiced their concerns, views, hopes and wishes for the future of the Church in their communities.
• It took place between last December and June of this year and is regarded as the most extensive public consultation process undertaken in this country by the Catholic Church.
• Director of Pastoral Development, Fr. Liam Power, said that they were continuing the consultation process with further meetings with lay Catholics and clergy. They and all other members of the Diocese are being invited to respond to the report and its recommendation and highlight areas they believe should be included in the Diocese’s proposed Pastoral Plan.
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