Noel Timms (editor), Louise Fitzgerald, Philip Grindell, Michael Hornsby-Smith, Kevin Kelly, Gerard Mannion.
• The diocesan studies examine how six bishops and their advisers and key personnel, endeavour to make the best use of the scarce human and financial resources available given the complex problems facing the Church.
• The parish studies explore the reality at local level. A recurring theme is the shortage and ageing of priests and the issue of clerical-lay collaborative ministry. The question of diocesan and parish allegiances is discussed.
• Around 500 people were involved. Their views are not simply impressions from individual experience but are based on careful and structured interviewing.
• The findings are reflected upon by two theologians, a sociologist, an accountant and an organisation specialist. The book contains the first comparative study of diocesan resources and their use to be published.
The studies examine the growing complexity, especially financial, of dioceses and resultant needs for organisational planning. They contrast the uses of resources in various dioceses. Overall the contributors ask how dioceses and parishes will fare as they face up to change or resist it.
212pp Paperback |
