The process for the Modification of Parishes, when the need arises, is set out below. It is guided by the Instructions of the Dicastery for the Clergy. The process takes place within the context of the partnership of parishes established by Archbishop Farrell (December 2022) across the Archdiocese through the Building Hope pastoral renewal initiative.
Overview
Following local conversations, a desire may be expressed to the Archbishop, or he may request, that the possibility of parish modification be explored. The Archbishop will write to initiate formally the Process of Modification appointing two or three people to oversee and guide the process. A period of up to a year may be required for the whole process – but this will depend on local needs and specific circumstances.
Factual statement
A Factual Statement is drafted with the assistance of the Diocesan Communications Office, highlighting the pastoral realities and drawing on liturgical, statistical and financial information. The type of parish modification which may be suitable (usually 1 or 2 below):
Merger: where two or more former parishes unite to become a single new parish; all previous parishes become extinct – A and B unite to form C, only C remains (Canon 121)
Amalgamation: A is subsumed into B, only B remains (by analogy to Canon 121)
Early communications
The importance of early, clear and respectful communications (conversations) is a key element in the process.
9 steps to be taken in the formal process of modification
The Parish Pastoral Council of each parish meets to pray and reflect on the matter.
The PPCs of the parishes that are considering modification come together.
Open Parish Conversations held in the individual parishes.
Open gathering of all of the joint parishes concerned.
Meeting with the Archbishop to inform him of the outcome of the process.
Meeting of the Council of Priests.
The Archbishop will give consideration to the Report and the determination of the Council of Priests and, having judged there to be just cause, will issue a Decree of Modification of the Parishes.
This is an edited summary of the document on the Dublin diocesan website by The Irish Catholic.
How Modification of Parishes works
The process for the Modification of Parishes, when the need arises, is set out below. It is guided by the Instructions of the Dicastery for the Clergy. The process takes place within the context of the partnership of parishes established by Archbishop Farrell (December 2022) across the Archdiocese through the Building Hope pastoral renewal initiative.
Overview
Following local conversations, a desire may be expressed to the Archbishop, or he may request, that the possibility of parish modification be explored. The Archbishop will write to initiate formally the Process of Modification appointing two or three people to oversee and guide the process. A period of up to a year may be required for the whole process – but this will depend on local needs and specific circumstances.
Factual statement
A Factual Statement is drafted with the assistance of the Diocesan Communications Office, highlighting the pastoral realities and drawing on liturgical, statistical and financial information. The type of parish modification which may be suitable (usually 1 or 2 below):
Merger: where two or more former parishes unite to become a single new parish; all previous parishes become extinct – A and B unite to form C, only C remains (Canon 121)
Amalgamation: A is subsumed into B, only B remains (by analogy to Canon 121)
Early communications
The importance of early, clear and respectful communications (conversations) is a key element in the process.
9 steps to be taken in the formal process of modification
The Parish Pastoral Council of each parish meets to pray and reflect on the matter.
The PPCs of the parishes that are considering modification come together.
Open Parish Conversations held in the individual parishes.
Open gathering of all of the joint parishes concerned.
Meeting with the Archbishop to inform him of the outcome of the process.
Meeting of the Council of Priests.
The Archbishop will give consideration to the Report and the determination of the Council of Priests and, having judged there to be just cause, will issue a Decree of Modification of the Parishes.
This is an edited summary of the document on the Dublin diocesan website by The Irish Catholic.
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