The role of the laity, Ordinariate priests, overseas priests and married priests were some of the themes explored in a “question time” event in Brentwood Diocese with Bishop Alan Williams last weekend.
Around 140 clergy and parish representatives came together to discuss restructuring proposals for the diocese which serves people in Essex and East London.
“We need to avoid saying that we have to make changes because of the shortage of priests,” said Steven Webb, the director of development, who led attendees through a draft working plan. “We need to renew and restructure for positive reasons. In any business or walk of life, people are constantly striving to be better at what they are doing. As a Church we should be no different.”
He outlined 12 strands of work seen as priorities: formation; leaders; money; property; priests and people; stewardship; schools; young people; caritas; vocations; liturgy; integration.
Mr Webb then took part in a “question time” session with Bishop Williams and Ann-Marie Conway, a member of Brentwood’s Strategic Planning Group. Among the questions submitted in advance were: Are Ordinariate priests a stopgap? Has the engagement of priests from overseas been fully considered on either a short-term or more permanent basis? Are married priests the answer? What is expected of lay people in parishes? How will relations between priests and people be maintained with increased boundaries?
Other questions concerned the role and future of rural parishes, more effective use of technology and the role of secondary schools in the preparation of young people for Confirmation. The panel also considered population trends in parishes and support for universities.
Questions raised from the floor included: how to evangelise, the Church’s vision, and how to involve young people in strategy. The gathering also asked for “the family” to be added to the diocesan working priorities. Bishop Williams was keen to stress that final decisions would be based on feedback from the diocese.
The Brentwood consultation coincides with the launch of an initiative in Salford, “Hope in the Future”, in which every parish in the diocese is being asked to strengthen its missionary identity. Bishop John Arnold said more emphasis on outreach was essential, in light of the terrorist atrocity in Manchester earlier this year. “The tragedy of the Manchester bomb has highlighted a need to strengthen the sense of community in our towns and build bridges,” he said. “We need to respond with positive actions.”
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