Diocesan Policy - Information Technology

1.0 Collaboration in Mission
2.0 Use of Information Technology
3.0 Key Objectives
4.0 Strategies

My dear people of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle,

As Information Technology affects more and more of the life of the Church in the Diocese, it is important to view it in the context of the Church's mission. I offer the following as a statement of my intention to situate Information Technology within the framework of our Diocesan Plan.

From 1st July, 2002 Diocesan use of Information Technology will follow these broad guidelines.

1.0 Collaboration in Mission

1.1 The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, especially since the 1992-3 Diocesan Synod, has endeavoured to focus the attention of the whole diocesan community on the need for collaboration and co-responsibility in fulfilling its mission. That mission, which is a continuation in today's world of the mission of Jesus, was described by the Synod in the words of the Second Vatican Council:

The Church exists to promote the Kingdom of God on earth.
This it does by proclaiming Christ - the Good News of God's love for all people - and by working
in the world for justice, peace and reconciliation. (Diocesan Pastoral Plan 1.00) [1]

1.2 The Synod went on to include in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, as one of its three pastoral goals:

That all members of the diocesan community - young and old, poor and rich,
weak and strong, clergy, religious and laity, individuals,
families and institutions - be recognized as working together
to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of God's people. (Diocesan Pastoral Plan 2.3)

1.3 The various diocesan agencies based at the diocesan Centre at Hamilton are called in a special way to witness to the values of communion and collaboration. All the agencies were established to further the Church's mission by addressing the needs of God's people in the parishes, schools and wider community, each agency doing so through its own particular range of services. Collaboration, unity of purpose, the sharing of resources and mutual support, should characterize relationships, not only within each agency, but also between the various agencies, and between the agencies and the parishes of the diocese.

2.0 Use of Information Technology

2.1 One of the 'signs of the times' which the Church must take into account as it seeks to further its mission in today's world is the "enormous potential in information technologies for communication and interaction with people within and beyond the Church". (2) It is important that all diocesan organisations and agencies work together to make the most effective use of these technologies in their efforts to further the Church's mission.

2.2 The launching of our Diocesan Website during 2001 was a positive step both in providing information about the life and mission of this diocese and the nature and functioning of its various works and agencies, and also in facilitating links between them. However, there are other ways in which the agencies can collaborate in facilitating "communication and interaction with people within and beyond the Church." The 2002 Diocesan Assembly, for example, endorsed the proposal that:

The Diocese standarise basic computer, administrative and financial systems
and develop an integrated, robust, secure Communications System (Web, email system)
to which all parishes are attached (with assistance to those small parishes that
cannot afford such facilities). New Wine into Fresh Wineskins, p.21

3.0 Key Objectives

3.1 All those responsible for the development and management of Information Technology within the diocesan agencies need, therefore, to have as their objectives: ·

• To facilitate communication and interaction between diocesan agencies based at the Diocesan Centre
• To facilitate communication and interaction between diocesan agencies and parishes
• To facilitate communication and interaction between the Church and the wider community
• To promote collaboration and co-responsibility within the diocesan community through the use of the most appropriate Information Technologies

4.0 Strategies

4.1 To achieve these Key Objectives the following strategies are to be used:

• The formation of a Diocesan IT Planning Team with representatives from Diocesan Agencies and Parishes to research options for the future. This team would oversee and evaluate the development of IT plans and implementation as applicable to the whole Diocese: parishes, schools and diocesan agencies.
• The development of a 3 year IT plan to encompass the needs of all diocesan agencies focusing on where resources can be shared and used to support departments/parishes with little or no funding support.
• The development of a budget to support the 3 year IT plan.

4.2 The Diocesan IT Planning Team will evaluate the progress of the IT Plan and make necessary changes to ensure that the key objectives are being met. This evaluation is to be on-going.

I remain,

Yours sincerely

Most Reverend Michael Malone
Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

[1] cf Lumen Gentium, 1,5