It's Official: The New Organizational Structure of the Catholic Pastoral Centre

It's official.

A Message from Bishop McGrattan

On August 1, 2018, we begin to live out the new organizational structure that will guide our work at the Catholic Pastoral Centre (CPC) for the Diocese of Calgary. Thank you for your commitment, prayers and daily work as we begin this journey.

As you may know, the new organizational chart reflects an extensive process of evaluation, consultation and study. What you see on the following pages is the fruit of prayerful discernment. The Pastoral Centre Strategic Plan (2018 – 2025) is the blueprint for the start of this change. Some of you were part of the process, which brought together people from within the Pastoral Centre, the Diocese, Catholic institutions and external stakeholder groups. We were united in our desire to improve how the Pastoral Centre helps and supports the clergy and the parishes in meeting the current and emerging realities of pastoral ministry.

Today, the new organizational structure, with its vision, mission and core strategies, more clearly defines the ministries and services of the CPC. I believe this will help us better focus our efforts and coordinate the work of the different offices under the unified vision of our new leadership team. The new directorial positions will streamline the lines of reporting and accountability. Further, I give you my assurance that with the help of the leadership team, we will not only offer programs but also have the opportunity to work together in revitalizing our parishes and the Diocese.

Under the guidance of the Moderator of the Curia, the directors that make up the leadership team will aid me in assessing the needs of the Diocese and in finding new and meaningful ways to respond to these needs in the spirit of dialogue and engagement.

The Pastoral Centre will collaboratively work with the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Finance Committee and other consultative bodies. We will also work with the episcopal vicars who I have delegated to lead specific areas of ministry. Under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this new organizational structure will allow us to respond more effectively to the challenges and the opportunities of pastoral ministry in a spirit of authenticity, joy and service to the People of God.

While the process of evaluation is complete and we are officially underway, it may take another year for the structure to run seamlessly. However, we hope that this publication will guide you in accessing the services of the new Pastoral Centre. As we move forward, I would appreciate your honest feedback about what we are doing well and where we still need to make improvements. May the Lord inspire us through this change to a renewed sense of ministry. We form missionary disciples who will “proclaim the good news not only with words, but above all in a life transfigured by God’s presence.”

God Bless you for your perseverance, grace and continued work in the ministry.

Yours in Christ,

Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, D. D.
Bishop of Calgary

Read our Spring/Summer spread on Bishop McGrattan's first year in the office!

For the Pastoral Centre to meet the new challenges of our times, we must have a good sense of the true needs of the parishes. Therefore, we now have processes in place for consultation and input so that we can provide pastoral services that truly matter. After all, one of the key elements of the Pastoral Centre is to be at the service of the pastors and parishes, assisting them in the fulfilment of their mission. To make sure that we can accomplish this, we must first have a new internal organizational structure that would enable us to take on the work efficiently and effectively.

What is the risk of not changing?

When the people we serve have changing needs that we no longer adequately support, our work quickly becomes irrelevant. The ultimate goal of the Centre is to support the work of the pastors, parishes and the various communities. Everything that we do at the Pastoral Centre must contribute to the formation of Missionary Disciples in our Diocese. To be a Missionary Disciple means that we live with a keen sense of purpose that God has given each of us a role of witness and service.

Assisting the Bishop in his ministry...

Moderator of the Curia

Fr. Wilbert Chin Jon

The Moderator of the Curia coordinates the administrative responsibilities within a diocese and makes sure the vision of the Bishop is fulfilled through the work of the Curia.

It is for the diocesan bishop himself to coordinate the pastoral action of the vicars general or episcopal vicars. Where it is expedient, a moderator of the curia can be appointed who must be a priest and who, under the authority of the bishop, is to coordinate those things which pertain to the treatment of administrative affairs and to take care that the other members of the curia properly fulfill the office entrusted to them. (Can. 473 §2). Unless in the judgment of the bishop local circumstances suggest otherwise, the vicar general or if there are several, one of the vicars general, is to be appointed moderator of the curia. (§3)

Vertical Divider

Bishop's Delegate

Fr. Tim Boyle

This Bishop's delegate is the Bishop’s representative to deal with allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct dealing with clergy.

He demonstrates the Bishop’s obligation and concern for truth, justice and healing in these cases.

Vertical Divider

Judicial Vicar & Chancellor

Fr. Anthony Pudota

Judicial Vicar
Each diocesan Bishop is obliged to appoint a Judicial Vicar, or ‘Officialis’, with ordinary power to judge. The Judicial Vicar is to be a person distinct from the Vicar General, unless the smallness of the diocese or the limited number of cases suggests otherwise (Canon 1420 §1).

Chancellor
In a Catholic Diocese, the Chancellor, unless particular law states otherwise, is to ensure that the acts of the curia are drawn up and there is a record of all official documents required for the various areas of Diocesan governance. The Chancellor ensures that the administrative and judicial acts of the Diocese are gathered, arranged, safeguarded and preserved in the Diocesan Archives (Canon 482). The Bishop may also delegate the Chancellor to exercise other functions.

Vicars General

The Vicar General functions primarily as a helper to the bishop in areas of administration and governance of the entire diocese. His actual day-to-day tasks are determined by the diocesan bishop.

In each diocese the diocesan bishop must appoint a vicar general who is provided with ordinary power according to the norm of the following canons and who is to assist him in the governance of the whole diocese. As a general rule, one vicar general is to be appointed unless the size of the diocese, the number of inhabitants, or other pastoral reasons suggest otherwise. (Code of Canon Law #475)

Fr. Wilbert Chin Jon, Vicar General

Fr. John Schuster, Vicar General

Episcopal Vicars

Episcopal vicars by canon law (c. 478 §1) are priests not less than 30 years old, doctors or licensed in canon law or theology or at least truly expert in these disciplines, and recommended by sound doctrine, integrity, prudence, and experience in handling matters.

Every priest is the bishop’s representative, but vicars act for the bishop. Essentially, the person holding that title has authority to make decisions on behalf of the Bishop. The Bishop can't be everywhere. Therefore, an episcopal vicar who shares the vision of the Bishop is appointed to provide pastoral care in an area or activity of the diocese.

How would Episcopal Vicars improve things?

Bishop McGrattan envisions more active participation of the faithful in building the kingdom of God. Therefore, the newly appointed vicars are readily available to provide pastoral care to Catholics in the specified areas of ministry.