Supplements

current ISSUE

dialogue of renewal in the diocese of belleville continues

     The priests in the Diocese of Belleville and Bishop Edward K. Braxton took the next step in the Dialogue of Renewal with two meetings at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on Oct. 16 which built on the discussions that took place at the September Convocation of Priests.

The Steering Committee for the dialogue invited all the priests of the diocese, and especially those who supported the March 12 statement, to the October meetings to continue the dialogue with Bishop Braxton and Steering Committee members. The meetings were facilitated by Maureen Gallagher and Tom Reid of The Reid Group.

Participants in the first of the two Oct. 16 meetings discussed the events that led to the March 12 statement, and the bishop’s response. They focused on what has been learned in the discussions and how the priests and the bishop can move forward and collaborate more effectively. They identified the need for more timely and direct communication in the future in order to avoid the misunderstanding and frustration that resulted in the March 12 statement and its aftermath.

In the afternoon, Maureen Gallagher and Tom Reid facilitated a post-Convocation follow-up, sharing their observations of key themes and issues arising at the Convocation. Participants, working in four groups, reviewed and prioritized the suggested actions made at the Convocation for renewing the relationship and collaboration among the priests and between the priests and the bishop.

The facilitators will compile the results of the discussion on action steps and forward them to the Steering Committee for recommendations to the bishop. Bishop Braxton and the Steering Committee expressed their gratitude for the honest and respectful dialogue that took place at the Oct. 16 meetings and their hope that the Dialogue of Renewal will continue to foster positive and effective communication and collaboration in the diocese.