DIOCESAN DISCUSSION PAPER
Workers for the Harvest: Overseas born priests in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
The Discussion Paper Workers for the Harvest: Overseas born priests in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle was commissioned and prepared for distribution in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

It comes as the result of a recommendation to invite overseas-born priests into the diocese following Regional Assemblies held in 2004-2005. This recommendation was passed on to the Diocesan Pastoral Council for action.

Responding to the Discussion Paper.
The paper is designed as a discussion starter. It doesn’t raise ALL the theological and pastoral issues relating to this issue.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council invites you to read the Discussion Paper carefully and prayerfully and to gather, formally or informally in your parish and region, to discuss the issues it raises. This is an important issue for consideration. A decision to invite overseas priests into ministry in this diocese, or not to invite them, has deep and far –reaching implications for the future life of the Church in this diocese.

Please use the pull-out Centerfold and address the questions therein. You can post or fax your responses to PO Box 756 Newcastle 2300 , Fax: (02) 4979 1159 OR email your responses to the questions.

Please email your reponses to dpsu@mn.catholic.org.au

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE DISCUSSION PAPER Workers for the Harvest: Overseas born priests in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle as a PDF document.

ALL RESPONSES TO THE DISCUSSION PAPER ARE TO BE RETURNED BY 1 MAY 2006.

ABC Radio National interview with Bishop Michael Malone and Mrs Teresa Brierley: "Importing overseas-born priests." LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT