Pastoral Development Strategy
Following the Archdiocesan Synod, the Archdiocese is embarking on a bold and hopeful journey through its
Parish Development Strategy (PDS)—a process designed not only to respond to pressing challenges, but to
renew our commitment to the mission of the Church: proclaiming Christ, nurturing believers, and serving
communities, especially the poor.
To fulfil this mission today, there is a compelling case for altering our approach. Several realities are shaping
this new direction:

• A deep desire to live out our missionary purpose: to proclaim Christ, worship, evangelise and serve.
• The hope for greater co-operation between parishes and deaneries to strengthen our mission and support
  one another.
• A sobering truth: the number of diocesan priests will fall from 100 today to fewer than 60 within seven
  years.
• The aspirations for a vibrant future for our children and young people.
• The flourishing life of Catholic schools and families.
• The urgent need to attract more vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
• The call for all the baptised to actively serve the mission of the Church.
• The financial strain of maintaining too many buildings, leading to years of overspending.
• The burden of stewardship falling on fewer priests and parishioners.
  The Parish Development Strategy has been put in place to allow us to embrace new possibilities. It calls us to
  walk together and shape a vibrant, mission-focused, healthy, and sustainable Church for today and tomorrow.
  This process is being carried out at local level, deanery by deanery:
  Stage 1: Review the current situation – each parish will conduct its own review at all levels, including clergy,
  ministers, liturgical provision, mission activity, finance buildings, demographics, consulting widely.
  Stage 2: Discern future priorities – parishes and families of parishes will identify priorities and share findings
  at deanery synodal council level.
  Stage 3: Making plans – local churches will create plans based on these priorities and present them to the
  Archbishop.
  Stage 4: Action – agreed plans will be implemented within a set timeframe.
  The Parish Development Strategy is, this weekend, being launched in the Wigan & Leigh Deanery. It is a call
  to journey together. Every voice matters. Every parishioner has a role to play. This is not a top-down driective
  —it is a shared mission, rooted in listening, dialogue, and collaboration