(March 8, 2005) – Saying he wants to hear from the people of the diocese, Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D., Bishop of Camden, will hold a “Speak Up” session in every parish of the diocese beginning March 15 and continuing through Lent 2006.
The bishop is seeking input from parishioners, clergy, and religious of every parish—124 in the six southern counties of South Jersey—in order to identify areas of focus for diocesan pastoral planning and to set a future direction for the Church of Camden. He will also use the sessions as an opportunity to present his vision of the Church, a vision set forth in Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium, the “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.”
In a video presentation to be shown in parishes this month laity, religious and clergy will be invited to attend the sessions (full text of video presentation).
“You will speak, I will listen. You will have the opportunity to share with me your concerns about the future of the Church; those areas of the Church that you feel may need improvement, development or change; and the priorities that you believe require our resources and energy,” Bishop Galante explains in the video.
“I want to hear from you. I need your help, your input, your wisdom, and your insight as we work together to revitalize our local Church and as we strive to be more faithful to our mission at a time when—more than ever—our world urgently needs to hear the saving message of Christ,” he adds.
Feedback from the sessions will be used to help identify pastoral planning priorities for parishes and the diocese now and in the future. Bishop Galante will report back to parishioners on the results of the Speak Up sessions and the concrete, practical actions that will arise from the feedback provided.