Soon after his installation as Bishop of Camden, Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante invited the people of the diocese to participate in setting the future direction for the Church in South Jersey. The first step in a diocesan-wide planning process, “Speak Ups” provided the opportunity for priests, deacons, religious, and laity of all ages to provide input concerning matters of importance to the life and future of the Church. Each parish hosted a Speak Up session between March 2005 and Summer 2006 and more than 8,000 people participated and provided feedback.
At the Speak Ups, Bishop listened to the input of the people and heard their concerns in response to the following questions: What areas of Church life need improvement, development, or change? Where should the Diocese of Camden be focusing its resources and energy?
Six key pastoral priorities were identified through the Speak Up sessions: lifelong faith formation, youth and young adults, worship, priestly vocations, lay ministry, and compassionate outreach (Click here for pastoral priorities).