TO 2020 AND BEYOND ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE - Brisbane Catholic Education
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ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE TO 2020 AND BEYOND
CONTENTS Foreword 2 Planning Framework 3 The Vision 4 Our Future 5 Five Priorities for Archdiocesan Agencies 6 Archdiocese of Brisbane Agencies 12
FOREWORD
Last year I invited Spirit who leads the Apostles who leads us to Jesus; it is the
representatives from all across new thresholds on their Spirit who creates the bond of
Archdiocesan agencies to come mission; St Paul speaks of those communion and empowers us
together in a convocation in who are “led by the Spirit” (Rom for mission.
order to seek their insights and 8:14; Gal 5:18).
guidance as we plan for the We are blessed to have many
future of the Archdiocese. We live at a time when we must Spirit-filled professionals
set out on a journey into the working in our agencies and
The convocation produced a future along paths that are serving on the advisory councils
draft planning framework for not altogether clear. In that of the Archdiocese. Together we
Archdiocesan agencies which sense we are like Abraham have developed this planning
was then presented to the who is called to leave what he framework which bears the title
various advisory councils of knows and to journey into a “To 2020 and Beyond”.
the Archdiocese, including the future which God is preparing.
Council of Priests for their review Abraham journeys in faith, What is found here will, I hope,
and comment. without knowing exactly where help the Archdiocesan agencies
he will be led but trusting the to maintain a proper focus on
When Pope Francis spoke at one who is leading. So too the journey ahead and help the
the Synod in October 2015, he the Church in Australia as we whole Church in this part of the
stressed that the synodality of look to the Plenary Council of world to move more deeply into
the Church referred not to some 2020 – we journey in faith and the experience of being led by
of the bishops some of the time are led by the Holy Spirit. This the Holy Spirit as we take the
but to all of the Church all of the is why there is “something road together. Thanks to the
time. The Pope went on to say greater than Solomon” (Matt many who have helped develop
that a synodal Church has to 12:42) in the life of the Church. this planning framework. In the
be a listening Church, a people There is much more to what convocation we came together
journeying with ears open to we are and do than what Pope under the influence of the Holy
the voice of the Holy Spirit. It is Francis has called “the merely Spirit to speak our word and
from the Pope that I take my cue administrative” (EG 25). Like listen to other voices. Now we
in offering the vision statement Jesus and the first disciples, set out, ready to embrace the
drawn from the Gospels “On a we are “led by the Spirit” as we future which God offers and
Journey Led by the Spirit”. Jesus look to the future. This vision which we must help God shape.
is “led by the Spirit” out into statement builds upon “Jesus,
the desert before he begins his Communion, Mission” which has Archbishop Mark Coleridge
public ministry (Matt 4:1; Mark served the Archdiocese well 19 January 2017
1:12; Luke 4:1); in the Acts it is the in recent years. It is the Spirit
Page 2
PLANNING FRAMEWORK This document provides a planning framework for the Episcopal and Corporate Offices and the Archdiocesan agencies as they look to the future. The agencies include: 1. Evangelisation Brisbane 2. Centacare 3. Brisbane Catholic Education 4. Archdiocesan Services 5. Archdiocesan Development Fund The framework will help to identify priorities as Archdiocesan agencies plan for the future. On page 4, the Archbishop presents a new vision statement which provides the direction for the Archdiocese in coming years as we move towards the Plenary Council of 2020. The ‘Our Future’ on page 5 expands on this vision and names nine elements of the local Church responding to the vision. Finally pages 7 to 11 name the five particular priorities for Archdiocesan agencies as they respond to the vision. Page 3
THE VISION
“ON A JOURNEY LED BY THE SPIRIT”
A synodal Church is a Church which listens, which realises that listening “is more
than simply hearing”. It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to
learn. The faithful people, the college of bishops, the Bishop of Rome: all listening
to each other, and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:17), in
order to know what he “says to the Churches” (Rev 2:7).
There are four dimensions to this vision:
We are on a journey of faith into the future
We do not see the way ahead clearly
The Holy Spirit leads us on the way
Together we discern what paths the Spirit is opening before us
Page 4
OUR FUTURE
A listening Church A serving Church A well-led Church
A people of faith, listening to Supporting those in need by Developing and forming current
the voice of the Holy Spirit and Archdiocesan agencies seeking and future leaders who are able
discerning what action this to work with parishes to give to discern the ways of the Spirit
requires. impetus to the Church’s mission and help others to do the same.
as the Spirit prompts.
A worshipping Church An innovative Church
A healing Church
Celebrating the sacred Enhancing governance
mysteries in a way that Protecting and advocating for structures and systems so
nourishes and strengthens the those who are vulnerable and that they are responsive and
life in the Spirit of all who gather bringing the healing power of innovative, open to the surprises
with us. the Spirit to those who have of the Spirit.
been subjected to Church
related sexual abuse.
A communicating Church A responsible Church
Delivering a simple effective Ensuring sustainable and
An inclusive Church
message with consistent effective use of resources in
communication of the Good Being attentive to all members a way that respects creation,
News which we have heard in of the community, believing that builds community and looks to
listening to the Spirit. the Spirit speaks and moves the sovereignty of God.
through all.
Page 5
TO 2020 AND BEYOND FIVE PRIORITIES FOR ARCHDIOCESAN AGENCIES Page 6
BECOMING A MORE JUST
AND MERCIFUL CHURCH
The Church which “goes forth” Provide welcoming places for those seeking mercy
is a community of missionary and justice.
disciples who take the first step,
who are involved and supportive Some ways to implement this could include:
who bear fruit and rejoice.
Develop capabilities of our people to support and assist
Such a community has an the most vulnerable
endless desire to show mercy,
the fruit of its own experience of Develop and implement the Archdiocese Reconciliation
Action Plan
the power of the Father’s infinite
mercy. Continue to develop and implement a long term response
to support those harmed by sexual, mental, physical or
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium spiritual abuse
#24
Continue to develop and implement a long term response
to the Royal Commission recommendations
Expand our support for migrants and refugees
Develop other public displays of mercy
Page 7
PARISH
RELATIONSHIPS
The parish is not an outdated Support parishes and other faith communities by
institution; precisely because collaborating in the delivery of pastoral, social,
it possesses great flexibility, education and care services.
it can assume quite different
contours depending on the Some ways to implement this could include:
openness and missionary
creativity of the pastor and the Communicate to parishes and other faith communities
community. While certainly the availability of support services
not the only institution which
evangelises, if the parish Develop a coordinated approach to the delivery of services
proves capable of self-renewal such as education, childcare, social and care services to
support evangelisation
and constant adaptivity, it
continues to be “the Church Encourage engagement and communication between
living in the midst of the homes Archdiocesan agencies, parishes and other faith
of her sons and daughters”. communities
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium Archdiocesan agencies to be sensitive to the needs
#28 of parishes and other faith communities and respond
accordingly
Providing increased support for parish and other faith
communities youth groups
Page 8
LEADERSHIP
When leaders in various Develop current and future leaders to build teams
fields ask me for advice, my that are representative and inclusive of the face
response is always the same: of today’s Church in south-east Queensland.
dialogue, dialogue, dialogue.
The only way for individuals, Some ways to implement this could include:
families and societies to grow
is through the culture of Review governance and organisational structures across
encounter, a culture in which all all Archdiocesan curial ministries
have something good to give
and all can receive something Enhance Archdiocesan spiritual formation programs
good in return. Others always Implement succession strategies
have something to give me,
if we know how to approach Ensure systems and structures are supportive of inclusive
them in a spirit of openness and representative leadership opportunities
and without prejudice. This
Deliver professional development programs in leadership
open spirit I would describe as
for current and identified future leaders
“social humility”, which is what
favours dialogue. Develop partnerships with other institutions to deliver
leadership training for current and future leaders
Pope Francis, Address to Brazilian
Leaders, 27 July 2013.
Page 9A LISTENING CHURCH
We need to practice the art of Listen to the voices of those who walk with us and
listening, which is more than those who are more distant from the Church.
simply hearing. Listening, in
communication, is an openness Some ways to implement this could include:
of heart which makes possible
that closeness without which Implement an effective internal communication strategy
genuine spiritual encounter
Establish active listening opportunities and effective
cannot occur. Listening helps
responses
us to find the right gesture and
word which shows that we are Deliver a simple effective message in external
more than simply bystanders. communications
Only through such respectful
and compassionate listening Provide resourcing and support to parishes and clergy to
can we enter on the paths of assist with communications
true growth and awaken a Spread the Good News in a variety of media
yearning for the Christian ideal:
the desire to respond fully Establish campaigns and lobby governments
to God’s love and to bring to on important social community issues
fruition what he has sown in
Use new communication platforms, especially for listening
our lives.
to young people and the broader community
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
#171
Page 10A RESPONSIBLE CHURCH
Given the scale of change, Commit to effective stewardship of resources to
it is no longer possible support the mission of God in the world.
to find a specific, discrete
answer for each part of the Some ways to implement this could include:
problem. It is essential to seek
comprehensive solutions which Develop an environmental strategy for sustainable
consider the interactions within use of Archdiocesan and parish resources
natural systems themselves
Completing a mapping exercise of all parish assets
and with social systems. We are
faced not with two separate Develop and implement a Capital Development Strategy
crises, one environmental
and the other social, but Support the development of financial sustainability plans/
rather with one complex strategies for parishes that improves revenue streams for
crisis which is both social and parish services
environmental. Strategies for a Encourage equitable optimisation of parish properties
solution demand an integrated and assets and their sustainable use
approach to combating
poverty, restoring dignity to Research options to develop efficient and effective data
the excluded, and at the same collection across the Archdiocese
time protecting nature.
Ensure that Archdiocesan investment strategies align with
a commitment to sustainability where appropriate
Pope Francis, Laudato Si
#139
Page 11ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE
AGENCIES
Archdiocesan Centacare Archdiocesan
Services Brisbane Development Fund
Brisbane Catholic Evangelisation
Education Brisbane
Page 12Archdiocese of Brisbane Level 2 Francis Rush Centre 277 Elizabeth Street Brisbane QLD 4000
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