2006

Saturday 12th August 2006

WORKERS FOR THE HARVEST
A Pastoral Response from Bishop Michael Malone

My dear sisters and brothers,

During 2003 and 2004, the ten pastoral regions of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle held regional assemblies, in order to develop local pastoral plans.

Each of these assemblies focused on images of the church at both diocesan and parish levels. People who participated in those special gatherings took the opportunity to think seriously about the future of the church and to raise issues of concern.

One concern which was consistently expressed across almost all of the regions was that of priesthood. It was acknowledged that vocations to the priesthood were at an all time low and that many of our current priests were overworked and ageing. In order to address concerns about a bleak picture of a future with insufficient priests, it was recommended that I should invite priests from overseas to come to our assistance.

As a result of this recommendation, the Diocesan Pastoral Council authorised a diocesan-wide discussion of the relevant issues. This unique consultative approach to this issue attracted national interest.

Our diocesan discussion paper was entitled Workers for the Harvest. Individuals and groups across the diocese were invited to submit written responses to the paper by 1 May 2006. Some 421 responses, representing about 1,000 people, were received.

All were carefully read and categorised by diocesan staff. This was a major task in itself. A comprehensive report of all the responses was compiled by diocesan staff and was sent to the Council of Priests, the Diocesan Pastoral Council and to me. A joint meeting of these bodies was held and the report was studied and discussed under the guidance of a facilitator. The aim of that gathering was to “hear God’s people” (Synod 1992-93), and to make recommendations to me.

More than half the respondents to the discussion paper were regular Mass-goers over 60 years of age. Of these a significant number participated in the Eucharist more than once a week.

Those in support of inviting priests from overseas were concerned about our priests being overworked and under significant pressure. They were also worried about the possibility of limited access to the Eucharist and limited availability of the sacraments.

Those against inviting overseas priests cited potential difficulties with language and a clash of cultures. They also warned about a bigger problem – the possible discouragement of lay leadership and of the Holy Spirit’s call to build a new and different church.

All the responses revealed a deep faith and a belief that the Spirit is active in our local church. People were passionate about their relationship with the church and expressed their desire that others might share their passion. It was also very evident that you, the people of the diocese, were worried about a future without adequate priestly numbers. I want you to know that I share your concerns and seek, with you, to find the most appropriate solution.

The conclusions of the gathering of the Council of Priests and the Diocesan Pastoral Council were:

a) Aware of the cultural issues and with strategies in place to assist these, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle should invite priests from overseas.

b) This invitation to overseas priests should form part of a broader strategy already endorsed by the Diocesan Synod of 1992-1993 so that the needs of the diocese may be met.

Therefore, dear friends, I wish to inform you that I have accepted these recommendations knowing that they have come from you. I will now begin the process of investigating how best to extend an invitation to priests from overseas, conscious of our own Diocesan Pastoral Plan and of the sensitivity of calling upon these priests to meet our needs.

I am aware that for some, this outcome will be a disappointment, confident as you were that the diocesan community would rise to the challenge of increased lay leadership and a deeper understanding of vocation and of the priesthood of all the baptised.

Working collaboratively with overseas priests is not entirely new, since it reminds us of the early development of our diocese. However, it will inject a new and different dimension into our local church, given our self-sufficiency over many decades.

All of us will be called to welcome these priests with generosity. I would be appalled were I to learn of any lack of acceptance or rudeness towards these priests.

It will be my intention to build the numbers of overseas priests slowly so that we can monitor their integration into our diocese.

May the Holy Spirit guide our endeavours, giving us an openness to the possibilities which God offers.

With deepest thanks for your thoughtful and faith-filled responses to Workers for the Harvest,

I remain,
Yours sincerely
Most Reverend Michael Malone
Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

See the Workers for the Harvest Report Executive Summary for the Harvest Report Executive Summary

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