To the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Diocese of Aberdeen, and particularly to members of Parish and Deanery Pastoral Councils

The Church’s synodal journey was inaugurated by Pope Francis in 2021 and was launched in our diocese in Advent 2021. It continues to move forward. In the wake of the general discussions in all our parishes, a synthesis summarising those diocese-wide discussions was published, and a Diocesan Synod Development Team was set up to consider both this feedback from parishes and the conclusions of the Synod in Rome.

This Team’s work highlighted the need to make more fully effective the already existing instruments of synodality in the Church, to a degree provided for in Canon Law, namely, a Diocesan Pastoral Council, Parish Pastoral Councils, and, given the configuration of our diocese, Deanery Pastoral Councils. These do not exist everywhere in the diocese. Each of these councils will require a constitution and will need to be more fully activated in a synodal key.

Accordingly, a steering committee has been established to draft constitutions for such a Diocesan Pastoral Council, as well as for Deanery Pastoral Councils and Parish Pastoral Councils. The members of this Steering Committee are: the Vicar General, Fr Domenico Zanre, Fr Colin Stewart, Fr Bruno Murphy, the chancellor Fr Emmet O’Dowd, Margaret Farrell, Barbara Edremoda, Sister Imelda Ann OP, and Deacon Tony Schmitz. The hope is that their work will be concluded by the end of April. They will be grateful to receive any recommendations for the Committee to consider.

While awaiting these new constitutions, Parish Pastoral Councils may continue to meet as formerly.
(In this context, it would be best not to meet as a Deanery Pastoral Council until a new constitution has been prepared.)

Thank you for your understanding, patience and prayers during this intermin.

Your devotedly in Christ

+ Bishop Hugh Gilbert, OSB