Safeguarding and Codes of Conduct a focus at National Vicar General’s meeting
L-R: Fr Shammi Perera (Hobart), Fr Joe Caddy (Melbourne), Fr Richard, Fr Jerry Gleeson (Sydney), Fr Dean Marin (Adelaide) and Fr David Ranson (Broken Bay). Msgr Peter Williams (Parramatta) and Fr Peter Whitely (Perth) attended by Zoom.
Having returned from the Ongoing Formation for Clergy Conference in Rome, I then had the privilege of attending the annual National Vicar General’s meeting in Melbourne. While the VG’s meeting discusses local issues, both gatherings have brought to light the common issues we experience, locally and internationally.
Vicar Generals from most of the larger dioceses in Australia come together annually to support each other in our unique and challenging roles.
While using each other as a resource, we also bring forward difficulties we may have, solutions we can or have used and possible insights. I personally find this one of the most rewarding meetings I attend as I navigate the challenges and experiences within our Archdiocese and the wider Church.
Certainly, the issues surrounding national Safeguarding and Codes of Conduct occupy much of our time, but they are not the only topics for discussion. I commend to everyone, particularly those involved in any ministry in the Church, the ‘Integrity in Our Common Mission’ document from the Australian Catholic Bishop Conference.
In the area of personnel, supporting our valued priests who have come to us from overseas is also a dynamic topic. Offering appropriate acculturation programmes while utilising the experience of priests who have been on the ground with us for some time has been highlighted in all dioceses. This must be offered while supporting and continuing to nurture our ‘homegrown’ clergy. The successes and the challenges that the Permanent Diaconate brings forward were also discussed.
In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis has called this year a Year of Prayer. Most dioceses are in the ‘getting started’ phase of the Jubilee Year, so I look forward to supporting our Archdiocese in reinvigorating our prayer lives as we continue in our own Year of the Holy Spirit. Let us encourage each other with any prayer initiatives we can offer locally. Go to www.iubilaeum2025.va for the latest information on the Jubilee Year from the Vatican.
So now it is time for me to get back to Canberra and continue our Lenten journey together, giving up what we may need to get rid of in our lives while walking together to lighten each other’s load.