Parishes losing priests and then what?
Fr. Brian Bainbridge sends this from Melbourne, Australia:
Some 7 parish reps (16 persons) in Open Space Sessions, Looking together (a major miracle, perhaps) at what to do LOCALLY about adjusting to the imminent reduction in numbers of priests available in their zone/region. Some came to fight/defend against the future (inevitable) changes. Others with different agenda. By the end of the day – another major miracle – all seemed together about options to address this eventuality.
Next Meeting – “Action Planning†to decide steps forward and plot the taking of those steps.
There have been a series of such attempts, but never using Open Space. It’s a wonderfully potent situation and may just change the nature of the Church in Australia. Stand by for the next extraordinarily exciting development.
Questions about Open Space in Churches or Australia? Email Brian
