Parishes in Communion for Mission Background

Our diocesan pastoral guidelines 'Called to be a People of Hope' promised that a committee would be formed to review existing deanery and parish structures and make recommendations by Autumn 2009.  This committee made up of laity and clergy from across our diocese, convened in December 2008 and consisted of Canon John Cunningham, Father David Mills, Deacon Kevin Moloney, Mrs Caroline Williams, Mrs Linda Dineen and Mr Roy Beckwith. The committee was chaired by Canon Bernard Massey.  The initial consultation began in April 2009 when Canon Bernard wrote to all parish priests in our diocese. 

At that time he said: “The committee has been working in response to your feedback to the 'Seeking the Face of Christ' consultation which made very clear that there is pressing need for change to existing structures.

“Critical to the success of this process will be open, frank and wide-ranging consultation with the priests of the diocese.  As a first stage in this process, I would be very grateful if, following discussion and consultation with fellow deanery clergy and your parish, you would complete and return our consultation document. 

“We would ask that you consider the questions posed in conjunction with the principles articulated in 'Called to be a People of Hope'. There are also some practical guiding principles and factors enclosed that may help you in your deliberations.”

Canon Bernard wrote again to all parishes in July 2009 thanking people for their contribution and extending the dealine so that everyone has a full opportunity to contribute.  The final deadline for reply was 21 July 2009.

You can still download the guiding principles and factors produced at that time.  In October 2009 the committee's draft report was published.  It was the result of the initial consultation process undertaken by the committee which looked at how we plan for the future. You can download the draft report in the multimedia panel on the right.

Following further feedback to the draft report and comprehensive consultation,  ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ was compiled and launched on 23 June 2010 when hundreds of people came to the Cathedral, to be among the first to obtain copies of the booklet about our vision for the future organisation of parishes.

Much more on the background about and the publications that are the fruits of our working together are online at our 'Called to be a People of Hope' publications page.