by Commission Members
The Diocese has been going through a strategy development exercise for the past year and as part of this, the Commission has been asked to produce a statement outlining our Mission, Vision, and Values.
It has been a good exercise to undertake as it has made us think about how to express what it is that we are all about. It certainly engendered a good discussion between Commission members and it has been through several iterations before we arrived at the wording below!
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to bring to everyone in the Leeds Diocese an understanding and experience of Catholic Social Teaching. We aim to empower everyone to work with others to effect change, to advocate for the marginalised and oppressed, to work towards a world where human dignity is respected and upheld, and to care for God’s creation in a sustainable way. It is a fundamental part of our Catholic faith that we should do such work.
Vision Statement:
We envision Catholic communities across the Diocese of Leeds acting for the Common Good and the care of our ‘Common Home’. A place where every individual is valued, and where we work together to create a society that reflects the love and compassion of Christ. These communities will be inter-generational, with our SPARK Social Justice programme opening up space for the practical contributions of the next generations of Catholic to reflect and act on the Gospel imperatives for Social Justice.
Values:
1. Dignity and respect: We believe in the God-given dignity of every person and work to ensure that all people are treated in accordance with this.
2 Relational: We seek out opportunities to work with others (both inside and outside the Church) seeking the same outcomes.
3. Participatory: We try to read the ‘signs of the times’ in a synodal way: ‘seeing’ unjust situations through listening to others, ‘judging’ what the just Gospel response is, and then ‘taking action’ to promote that response within both parishes and the whole community.
4. Solidarity: We stand alongside those experiencing poverty, racism or who are marginalised for other reasons locally. We actively support national and international organisations working to address the root causes of injustice.
5. Stewardship: We are dedicated to caring for God’s creation, promoting sustainable practices, and protecting the environment for future generations.
6. We dare to dream: of a better world, of actions by Catholics in the Leeds Diocese producing real and lasting change to the root causes of poverty, climate change, racism and approaches to conflict.
7. Transparent: We work in an open way, with all Commission meetings and action groups open to anyone who wants to join them.
8. Prophetic: We non-violently speak truth to power.