14 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Year in Review 2020 Go Forth: A Review of the Strategic, Consultative and Administrative structures of the Diocese of Sandhurst In May 2020, Bishop Mackinlay engaged Mr Francis Moore, former Executive Director Administration of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and former Director and Deputy Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, to conduct a review of the Diocese. Mr Moore was commissioned to: • assess the effectiveness of the structure and processes of each of the current consultative bodies of the Diocese of Sandhurst; • identify principles, structures, practices and processes to achieve best practice in diocesan governance that would enable the Bishop and the Diocese to operate in a strategic and collaborative way, drawing on the best possible advice of lay people and clergy for the delivery of the Church’s mission; and • recommend any changes that would ensure the administrative structures of the Diocese are effective and appropriate to support the proposed consultative and strategic structures and processes. The review was underpinned by the call of Pope Francis to make Church structures “more mission-oriented, to make ordinary pastoral activity on every level more inclusive and open, to inspire in pastoral workers a constant desire to go forth and in this way to elicit a positive response from all those whom Jesus summons to friendship with himself” (Evangelii Gaudium, n. 27). The review was set against a background of heightened focus on Church governance and leadership arising from recommendations to the Catholic Church of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Catholic Church’s response to these recommendations, and preparations for the Australian Plenary Council. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, 33 clergy, 13 pastoral associates, six agency leaders, four seminarians and three Diocesan Finance Council members from all deaneries of the Diocese took part in a targeted consultation process, which included focus groups, individual interviews and questionnaires. The consultation was undertaken by Mr Moore with the assistance of Ms Cathy Jenkins, Assistant to the Director: Leadership Development, Catholic Education Sandhurst. In December 2020, the review’s report was published. Entitled ‘Go Forth’, it evoked Evangeli Gaudium and Jesus’ concluding commission to his disciples in Matthew’s gospel: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt28:19). Mr Moore commented that: In undertaking this review and for those considering this report and its recommendations the call of Pope Francis is ‘to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelisation … to not walk alone, but to rely on each other as brothers and sisters … in a wise and realistic pastoral discernment’ (Evangelii Gaudium, n. 33).” Mr Moore identified eleven key opportunities and made 56 recommendations to assist the Diocese in building up a more vital, dynamic, mission-focused and participatory church culture, with a focus on stewardship, subsidiarity and transparency. Bishop Shane Mackinlay welcomed the report and thanked all those who had contributed to it: “I particularly appreciate the clarity and practicality of its recommendations. It will provide invaluable assistance in planning how we focus and direct our activities and efforts in the years ahead … I am very grateful to all those who contributed to this consultation, and particularly grateful to Francis and Cathy for the conversations and reflection that they facilitated. Many people have commented to me about their appreciation of the opportunity to participate in this project.” In February 2021, Bishop Shane issued a formal response to the report, accepting all its recommendations and committing himself to their implementation. Summary of Key Recommendations of the report. That a Diocesan Pastoral Council, to be named the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council representative of the diversity of people of the Diocese, be established. That the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council lead a process of consultation and discernment to see whether the current vision statement reflects the aspiration of the Diocese for itself. That a new role of Director of Mission and Pastoral Life, reporting to the Bishop, be created. That the Council of Priests be constituted by all the priests of the Diocese holding a current appointment. That not less than two and not more than four lay persons, appointed by the Bishop, attend meetings of the College of Consultors as advisors and participants with a right to participate in discussions. That a digest summarising the matters discussed at meetings of the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council, the College of Consultors and the Council of Priests be made available widely across the Diocese, on the model established already for the College of Consultors. That the Bishop initiate an independent review in three years of the effectiveness of the recommendations. To read a complete list of recommendations, please read the full Report which can be found on the diocesan website. LEADERSHIP & STRUCTURE
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