In October 2020, Archbishop Eamon Martin announced that a new Diocesan Pastoral Council would be formed, built upon five Pastoral Areas of the Diocese.
A meeting of clergy and representatives of the Parish Pastoral Councils of the Diocese of Dromore took place in Banbridge in February of that year, at which the Report from the Dromore Diocesan Strategic Working Group was discussed. The Working Group, made up of lay people, religious and clergy of the Diocese completed its review of pastoral life and presented its findings and recommendations to Archbishop Eamon. The Archbishop has accepted these together with a vision statement for the Diocese of Dromore:
“We will have vital and vibrant parish communities that are sustainable for future generations”.
Vision Statement for the Diocese of Dromore
Pastoral areas
As a first step in seeking to move towards the vision, Archbishop Eamon re-launched and re-named five Pastoral Areas within the Diocese to assist planning, communication and common endeavour across the Diocese. In the coming months he will begin the process of establishing a Dromore Diocesan Pastoral Council, to take forward the recommendations of the Strategic Working Group. The five Pastoral Areas of the Diocese will be as follows:
St Brigid’s Pastoral Area
Parishes of Newry and Saval; Parish of Donaghmore
St Colman’s Pastoral Area
Parish of Magheradroll (Ballynahinch); Parishes of Drumgooland and Dromara; Parish of Dromore
St Bronagh’s Pastoral Area
A: Parishes of St Peter’s Clonallon (Warrenpoint) and St Mary’s Clonallon (Burren); Parish of Kilbroney (Rostrevor).
B: Parishes of Clonduff (Hilltown) and Drumgath (Rathfriland); Parish of St Patrick’s Clonallon (Mayobridge).
St Patrick’s Pastoral Area
Parishes of Seapatrick (Banbridge) and Annaclone; Parish of Tullylish; Parish of Aghaderg.
St Ronan’s Pastoral Area
Parishes of Shankill (St Peter’s Lurgan) and Shankill (St Paul’s Lurgan); Parishes of Moyraverty (Craigavon) and Seagoe (Derrymacash); Parish of Magheralin.
Vicars Forane
Each Pastoral Area will have an appointed Vicar Forane and will also be represented on the Diocesan Pastoral Council by a number of lay people who are able to bring to the Council their gifts, skills and vision for the future.
“I hope that the Pastoral Area discussions and work will provide a forum to bring together and add value to the work of the individual Parish Pastoral Councils across the Diocese. With their help, our new Diocesan Pastoral Council will be able to promote new evangelisation, pastoral renewal and increased involvement of lay women and men in the life of the Church” I trust that the Pastoral Area structure will also facilitate faith development, improved communication, pastoral formation and training, enhanced liturgical planning and a common sense of endeavour across the Diocese of Dromore.
I trust that the Pastoral Area structure will also facilitate faith development, improved communication, pastoral formation and training, enhanced liturgical planning and a common sense of endeavour across the Diocese of Dromore”.
Archbishop Eamon Martin