1. LEAVING SAFE HARBOURS - THE WAY AHEAD

Recent pastoral letters and information from your parish priests have explained that two years ago I initiated a period of reflection and enquiry, which became known as 'Leaving Safe Harbours'. This initiative was in response to a request emerging from a meeting of the Deans. I invited four different groups, over 9 months, to examine the pressing issues of today. Each group included priests, religious, women and men. Working together, through reflection on the Word of God and a careful reading of the signs of our times, they sought to present a coherent response to the challenges we face. In doing so they offered a great service both to our own diocese and, indeed, wider society.

 I am happy to say that at the beginning of July 2006, those involved in this initiative were able to present a broad set of proposals to priests, to a wider gathering of the diocesan family, and I gladly endorsed their wholehearted approval. So in September 2006 we were able, as a diocesan family, to embark on a new way forward.

I will attempt to present you with a clear picture of the way ahead and the reasons behind what is envisaged. I will also be inviting your participation and involvement in helping to shape the way things will develop in your own local area. Together we can face the future with confidence and hope, assured of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Provided that we, like Peter, place our trust in the one who calls us to “pay out our nets for a great catch”

Throughout its history, the Church has always developed rather than stood still - something which reflects the fact that we are, essentially, a pilgrim people. In our days and in our locality there are a number of reasons why managed change is necessary. Some are very obvious while others less so.

Consider, for example, the following statistics: In 1960 the Catholic population of the Diocese was approximately 750,000 people. Of those some 262,000 regularly attended Sunday Mass in 187 churches. At the time there were 461 active priests. Thirty-five years later, in 1995, the Catholic population had declined in number to a figure similar to that we see today - just over 500,000. The number of Catholics who attended Sunday Mass, however, was a proportionally lower figure - about 110,000, although the number of churches had increased to 223. The greatest change, however, was the number of active priests serving the diocese. It had been reduced by well over a half to 215.

By the time we come to 2005, although the overall Catholic population had remained relatively stable - at around 500,000 - the number of those who attended regular Sunday Mass had dropped still further to approximately 67,000. Slightly fewer churches, some 214, were now being served by 180 priests - although not all were available for parish ministry.

Even a cursory look at these figures is enough to see why many people are concerned. But we have to be careful in our analysis. The obvious reduction in the number of priests is a matter of great concern, but the decline in the numbers of lay people attending Sunday Mass presents us with an even more alarming statistic.

Faced with these realities, how do we respond? What is required, I believe, is not just a restructuring of the diocese but a whole new determination to reach out both to those baptised, confirmed and on one special day first communicants, who now rarely pray with us, but also to those who do not know our Lord at all. That is what we mean by: Evangelisation.

The changes must be shaped to increase our readiness for a deeper response to the call from Christ to establish his Father's kingdom of justice, love and peace and to make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So our Diocesan Mission statement must say: "Taking to heart the last words of the Lord Jesus, we will go out into the world to proclaim the Good News to the whole of Creation.

If we are to take this mission, given us by Christ, seriously then some structural adjustments are required in order to make best use of energy and resources. The clustering of parishes in recent years was a move in the right direction but such arrangements are no longer sustainable.

It is important to realise that because of the present age profile of the clergy and the relative shortage of vocations, it is likely that by 2015 there will only be 100 active diocesan priests. Compared with years gone by this shows a considerable reduction in priestly numbers, but it is more than sufficient provided our expectation of priestly ministry and service is real and focused not on past demands but on present realities.

What we need is a new way of being a local Catholic community, which not only preserves what is best in our tradition but also holds out the prospect of future development.

Looking at the bigger picture, there was widespread recognition within the four exploratory groups that we have not yet allowed the insights of the Second Vatican Council called together by Pope John XXIII in the 1960s to bear fruit. The present situation offers an opportunity to embrace the aspirations and intentions of that Council to renew the Church in response to the Word of God in a rapidly changing scene.

I hope you will be able to see that the changes we are making are designed to:

• Deepedn faith, hope and love
• Encourage a spirit of collaboration
• Help us to do better what we are already fruitfully doing.
• Make better use of resources
• Be flexible to local needs and situations

 And all so as to accomplish evangelisation.  

Questions for Reflection and Discussion:

 Where do you see the need for change in your own local experience of Church?

What would be your greatest hope for any changes that might occur?