Challenge, crisis and response in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane: An examination of pastoral proposals designed by the archdiocese, incorporating insights from Vatican II and post-conciliar documents, in the face of an increasing shortage of c

Ruddiman, Wendy. (1999). Challenge, crisis and response in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane: An examination of pastoral proposals designed by the archdiocese, incorporating insights from Vatican II and post-conciliar documents, in the face of an increasing shortage of clergy PhD Thesis, School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics, The University of Queensland.

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Author Ruddiman, Wendy.
Thesis Title Challenge, crisis and response in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane: An examination of pastoral proposals designed by the archdiocese, incorporating insights from Vatican II and post-conciliar documents, in the face of an increasing shortage of clergy
School, Centre or Institute School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 1999
Thesis type PhD Thesis
Total pages 511
Language eng
Subjects 220401 Christian Studies (incl. Biblical Studies and Church History)
210303 Australian History (excl. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History)
Formatted abstract The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane has formulated a planning process which will generate significant changes in the shaping and staffing of parishes in the years ahead. Moves for restructuring commenced as a consequence of two decisive factors - a declining and an ageing clergy cohort, and an ever-escalating lay population.

The planning process, called Shaping and Staffing Our Parishes, was designed after extensive, archdiocesan-wide consultation. In its compilation, planners have remained mindful of certain Key Values and Principles which have been affirmed in the archdiocese on previous occasions. Their incorporation, as basic tenets underlying the reorganisation, has ensured that changes are in accord with Catholic tradition, as this appears in Vatican II and post-conciliar documents. Central to restructuring has been the archdiocesan Statement of Mission and Directions, which requires parishes to be orientated for mission, not maintenance.

This thesis commences with an analysis of both present and projected clerical and lay populations in the archdiocese. It traces the events leading to the compilation of the planning process, the evolution of the latter, and its implementation, with the detailing of initial steps towards renewal in some parishes/pastoral areas.

The remainder of the dissertation concentrates on the theological foundations of the core church teachings embodied in the Key Values and Principles. Thus there is exploration of the following topics: the place of the sacraments, ministry, mission and collaborative ministry. The essential role played by the ordained leader in each parish, together with widespread criticism of the celibacy law, and the present clergy shortage, have motivated a discussion of both priesthood and celibacy.

Brisbane's parish/pastoral area reorganisation is important both sociologically and culturally, since it will affect well over half a million people before the turn of the century. It may well turn out to be the most significant happening in any of the major Christian denominations this decade.
Keyword Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Brisbane (Qld.)
Church management
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