Directions and priority statements
from Archbishop John Bathersby DD

1993
A Statement of Mission and Directions

The Statement presents key directions for the Archdiocese commencing with the Archdiocesan Mission Statement (1987) and culminating with the following words:
“In baptism God calls all to be active in the life and mission of the Church, promoting the Reign of God in our world, as people who….celebrate, care, collaborate,evangelise and learn.”

1998
Our Priorities: Spirituality, Ecumenism, Social Justice

Spirituality: “Spirituality is our way of relating to God. It means seeing the world from a faith perspective - seeing God in all things. Within the Roman Catholic tradition, it means relating to God sacramentally, specifically through the sacraments of the Church, and generally through all creation - people, places, happenings.”

Ecumenism: “Ecumenism recognises the presence of God’s Spirit in churches and ecclesial communities apart from one’s own. It recognises the real but imperfect union with all other Christians that flows from our common faith and baptism.”

Social Justice: “Social justice is an integral part of the Gospel. It means working for that Kingdom of justice, peace and freedom that Christ desired. It means not only helping the poor but asking those larger, uncomfortable questions about why some people are poor.”