Synodal Governance – Part 3
Last weekend I wrote about Synodal Governance and included a set of questions to consider.
- Do you feel included in the governance of the parishes?
- Do you know what is happening in your parish council, finance committee and liturgy group?
- Do you know how decisions are made in the parish?
- How do you think parishioners should be selected for a committee? Voted on, asked by the priest, asked by the Chairperson?
- Do you think our parish committees communicate with you enough?
- Should we develop three councils made up of representatives of all three parishes to work across parishes?
- Should we keep our parish governance separate so that we remain distinct parishes?
Synodal Governance -Looking at how we make decisions.
The first part of the consultation has finished. The members of our leadership groups in the Cathedral Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Mary’s Foxton have completed their feedback. I am very grateful to them for doing this.
The next part of the consultation will be a survey this coming week for all parishioners to complete.
Why is this consultation happening?
Pope Francis has asked us to become a “listening Church” or a Synodal Church.
He wants us to read the signs of the times constantly and to adapt those parts of our Church life that need to be adapted to meet the needs of the times.
We adapt so that we can focus on the Mission of the Church, which is to participate in God’s great work, or liturgy, of salvation.
Is there something wrong?
No, there is nothing wrong, and nothing is broken with our present systems, so why you may ask are we doing this round of consultation?
Our present systems of decision-making or governance are designed for a “one parish priest, one parish” scenario.
Because we are not in this situation, we can think about how we respond today.
Co-Governance
The synodal responses call for greater co-governance in the Church.
I think we already have that in many places and ways. So we are not stepping back from what we already have, but stepping forward, based on our present inclusive model, to make it more inclusive and transparent.
Co-Governance is not just governance with the priest.
Co-Governance includes lay leaders in co-governance with each other across our three cooperating parishes.
How this looks and works practically is a matter for the leadership members to consider.
Questions for reflection
Do you know how decisions are made in your parish?
Do you know the people on your Finance Committee, Parish Council and Liturgy Committee?
Do you think each parish should remain independent of each other in decision-making or share some decision-making functions?
Do you see opportunities for us to make decisions that we all share in?
Survey is coming
At the end of this coming week, I will send a feedback questionnaire to all parishioners inviting your feedback.
This will go to the Leadership Groups in our three parishes for them to consider.
Fr Joe Grayland