A RESHAPING of deaneries in Brisbane archdiocese and an expansion of their role are options being considered among a range of consultation proposals for the implementation of Synod 2003 priorities.
The archdiocese’s Commission for Evangelisation and Pastoral Planning (CEPP), with Archbishop John Bathersby, has prepared a list of proposals to assist in the consultation.
Among the recommendations, Archbishop Bathersby has asked parishes to develop a pastoral plan for the next five years on how they will address the nine priorities of the synod.
Part of that will include the need to plan and work with other parishes in their deanery.
In line with that, a review of the composition of deaneries is recommended, and an expanded deanery role is proposed – for mutual support, joint planning of some elements of pastoral life and mission, and sharing of resources.
One option being considered is increasing the number of deaneries from 10 to 13.
In that option, three new deaneries would be created in key growth areas: Northern Rivers (comprising Burpengary, Caboolture, Petrie, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe City and Stanley River parishes), Redland-Bayside (Alexandra Hills, Birkdale, Capalaba, Cleveland, Victoria Point, Wynnum and Manly) and Logan (Beaudesert, Beenleigh, Browns Plains, Daisy Hill, Kingston-Marsden, Loganholme, Rochedale and Woodridge).
Two new metropolitan deaneries, with new combinations of parishes, would be called Inner North West (Bardon/Red Hill/Rosalie, Bowen Hills, Cathedral, Dorrington, Gordon Park, Herston/Ashgrove/Newmarket, Lutwyche, New Farm, St Johns Wood-The Gap and Wilston/Enoggera) and Inner South East (Bulimba, Buranda, Camp Hill, Cannon Hill, Carina, Coorparoo Heights, Coorparoo-Mt Carmel, Coorparoo-St James, Dutton Park-West End, South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point-East Brisbane).
Six existing deaneries with new combinations and reduced numbers of parishes would be North Coast, Brisbane North East, Brisbane North West, Brisbane West, Brisbane South and Brisbane South Country.
Two deaneries – North Country and South Coast – would remain as they are.
The consultation is seeking responses about the best deanery composition to take the archdiocese forward.
Archbishop Bathersby also indicated the need for deaneries to facilitate possible joint projects to support the most urgent parish priorities.
The deanery pastoral council or a similar deanery project body is recommended as the forum to plan such initiatives.
The CEPP has recommended deaneries develop a plan for that kind of involvement, and it proposes that by 2005, each deanery develops a plan for the future pastoral leadership and operating structure of its parishes to 2011.
It is recommended that planning support for parishes and deaneries be provided through the CEPP, the Office for Parish Review and Planning and other archdiocesan agencies.
