Catholic & Rural

26 February 2008

Delegates from dioceses throughout the country gathered for the fourth National Catholic and Rural Conference, which was organised by a priest of the Clifton Diocese. 

The event, staged in Tiverton, Devon, centred on discussions of the pastoral needs of Catholics in rural areas.

Main speakers included Sue Tucker, Rural Officer for the Diocese of Exeter; Commodore Chris York, National Director of the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS); and Father Michael McAndrew, Director of the Clifton Diocese Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation.

Sue Tucker described her work, which includes advising parishes and supporting farmers, other rural workers and their families. Commodore Chris York talked of the AoS work to provide port-based support for vulnerable seafarers. He said seafarers often work in poor conditions, with low wages, and can be away from home for months at a time. He suggested ways in which rural parishes can help seafarers, through supporting the work of the AoS in local ports, through prayer and fundraising.

Father Michael McAndrew discussed the challenge of rural catechesis. He discussed the General Directory for Catechesis which says there should be a difference between urban and rural catechesis, and he suggested that rural communities can be good settings for a model of catechesis which involves the whole community. Other speakers talked about topics such as the view from the farm gate, the rural Health Service, the multi-church parish, community shops and evangelisation and the scattered congregation.

Visitors to the conference were offered visits to a racing stable, a trout farm, some kennels and a beef farm; and had time to talk with people who worked in these areas.

Rosemary Woods, of The Sacred Heart parish in Minehead said, “I’ve gained an insight into what’s going on in the countryside and in our Catholic parishes, but it’s raised the question for me.  What do we do as a Catholic community to help our rural people?”

This series of conferences was started by Father Robert Miller of St Stanislaus in Dulverton and Father Harry Doyle who represent the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales on the Churches Rural Group.

Father Robert said, “We hope the conferences bring together people who have an interest in rural Catholicism, to act as a catalyst in promoting good pastoral care for Catholics in the large number of parishes which extend into rural areas.”

Over the three days delegates shared the problems facing rural Catholics, such as parishes with congregations scattered over a large area, a lack of adequate public transport and an ageing parish population. As well as the farming community and other rural workers and their families, the population of rural Catholics includes many retired people, commuters and immigrants who all need pastoral care. The talks offered hope and a way forward, with reports of what is already being done and practical suggestions for those involved in rural parishes. Delegates included clergy and lay people involved in parish life and in rural communities.

This report comes courtesy of the Bishops’ Conference of England Wales recently redesigned website.

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