Dear Friends
History may well focus on this letter as the most important in the whole of my ministry in Lancaster. Unabashed, I look to you once more for your unfailing support, especially in prayer.
You know only too well the drift across much of Western Europe! – half-empty churches, a certain ‘tiredness’ in our communities, some Catholic schools fast-losing their identity, absence of young adults in our churches …. Yet, praise God, alongside this there is a vibrant persevering faith amongst our people reminiscent of the Prophet:Even though the fig does not blossom, nor fruit grow on the vine,….
even though flocks vanish from the folds
and stalls stand empty of cattle,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord
and exult in God my saviour.
The Lord my God is my strength. (Hab. 3:17-18)
Early in the New Year I will be proposing a Mission Review in the Diocese:
Here there can be no breakthrough without much sacrifice on our part and a fulsome openness to the Spirit: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.” (Ps 127) Preserving structures/buildings (beautiful though many of them are) is one thing; preserving and passing on the faith is an altogether different matter.
- Mission – How best can we in the 21st century present and communicate the message of Christ today?
- Review – What structures will be required to fulfil that Mission?
Our Diocese is faced with some difficult decisions – already we’ve made some in central administration - all with your overwhelming support – thank you. One thing is certain: our Mission calls for a new spirit and a new life with all of us working together. Our one great hope and consolation rests in our faith: the Way of the Lord is the Way of the Cross and therein lies our only path to victory.
In the New Year there will be a Pastoral Letter, together with an outline of a consultation process, involving Parish, School, Deanery and Diocese. This will be followed by decision-making with your involvement and I envisage it taking a full twelve months or more, followed by a gradual implementation of the Diocesan plan.
Finally, your contribution is paramount, nowhere will this be more evident than in daily prayer. During Advent, I ask every priest, deacon, religious, teacher, parishioner, student and especially the sick and housebound to offer prayer and personal sacrifice for the intentions of the Review. May I suggest where possible that parishes have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Hours and special devotions to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance on myself and all the members of our Diocesan family.
May God bless you all.
+Patrick O’Donoghue, Bishop of Lancaster