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Justice and Peace office reorganization plan approved

By Steve Neill
Of The Catholic Virginian

Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo has approved a reorganization of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace which calls for the elimination of five positions and sets new priorities for the office’s ministries.

Under the reorganization plan approved by the bishop April 21, the office will have four full-time professional positions, a part-time director for the Office of Catholics with Disabilities and two administrative assistant positions.

Jobs being eliminated are director of the Appalachian Office of Justice and Peace, a full-time position, and part-time positions for Ecology Educator, Tidewater Parish Liaison, Natural Family Planning Coordinator and a full-time administrative assistant position with the Appalachian office.

Respect Life will remain the top priority of the new plan, followed by education on Catholic Social Teachings.

Other recommendations, in descending order, are Marriage and Family Life, including Natural Family Planning; Haiti and Global Solidarity; Migrant Ministry and domestic poverty, Disabilities, Prison Ministry and Southwest Virginia.

The new reorganization plan calls for the office to be headed by a director, two full-time associate directors, a full-time position for migrant ministry and a part-time director of Catholics with disabilities.

In February Bishop DiLorenzo established a task force to study how the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace might function more effectively with its variety of ministries and current needs.

The reorganization plan was introduced at a joint meeting of the Diocesan Priests’ Council and Diocesan Pastoral Council April 22 at the Pastoral Center. Representatives of the two advisory bodies to the Bishop served on the Task Force as well as professionals involved in social work and Respect Life ministry.

The reorganization plan is viewed as positive, said Msgr. William H. Carr who chairs the Priests’ Council.

“I think the Bishop’s advisors advised him well,” Msgr. Carr told The Catholic Virginian. “There was a lively discussion and the response was very affirmative of the proposals presented by the task force.”

He voiced hope for the diocese’s continued ministry among the people in Appalachia even though a specific office for the ministry is being disbanded.

“The Bishop and all the priests were concerned about the diocese’s ministry to the poor and needy and we wish to find ways to accomplish it,” he said.

The Priests’ Council has been asked to explore how marriage and family life ministry might be better served in another diocesan office.

During the meeting April 22, the Priests’ Council was also asked to explore options for coordination of continued ministry for Southwest Virginia, a possible name change for the Office of Justice and Peace to best reflect its ministries, and new evaluation methods.

Margie Robertson, retired executive director of Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia and a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, said she was hopeful that the task force’s suggestions would help the diocesan office and the people it serves.

“The Office of Justice and Peace already does so much good work and our time was limited so that made the work a challenge,” she said of her work on the task force.

“How do we prioritize when all of the work is important in the light of Catholic social teaching?

“I was honored to work with so many people who care about this critical work of the Church,” she added.

Bishop DiLorenzo has called for a five-year review of all diocesan offices. A similar reorganization plan involved the new Office of Catholic Education which combined the Offices of Catholic Schools, Christian Formation and Youth Ministry.

The plan calls for an internal review for the five professional positions, said Mrs. Dorothy Mahanes, Director of Human Resources.

Those currently on the Justice and Peace staff, including Michael Stone, director, are able to apply for any of the positions.

“It’s always good to examine your work and get a cross-section of diocesan leadership to do so,” Mr. Stone told The Catholic Virginian.

But he acknowledges that there were some challenges ahead.

“It will be difficult to say goodbye to people who have dedicated years of their life to this ministry,” he said. “I want to express my deep gratitude to them for their commitment and service to our diocese.”

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