Structural reform in the diocese of Speyer: On the way to new deanary offices!

Structural reform in the diocese of Speyer: On the way to new deanary offices!

In November 2024, the Bishopric Speyer Comprehensive design for structural reform. Under the motto "You should be a blessing", the plan of General Vicar Markus Magin and Thomas Kiefer, head of the pastoral department, was presented. This reform represents a further development of the pastoral concept "Community Pastoral 2015" and reacts to the growing challenges with which the church is faced, including decline in financial and personnel resources as well as an increasing loss of trust in the faithful.

The reform provides for the creation of 11 deanary rates, which is to convert the number of 70 parishes to larger, sustainable structures. The new dean's offices should act as an organizational level and relieve the pastors of administrative tasks so that they can create more time for pastoral care. From 2027 it is planned that all priests and pastoral employees will be assigned to a dean's office, no longer the individual parishes.

participation of the believers

A central component of the reform is the inclusion of the believers in the decision -making process. An open participation format is scheduled for February 4, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. via zoom. Interested believers have to register and feedback is possible via the e-mail address Einsollihrsein@bistum-speyer.de. The reform is supported by a phase of information and feedback, which will last until February 2025. During this time, dean's visits and meetings also take place to take into account the opinions and suggestions of the parishioners.

The advocacy group is coordinated by various committees of the church and a working group. The draft will be discussed intensively, with the first round of advice being taking until the end of March 2025. The proposal in the diocesan assembly will then be processed and revised before the final version is to be passed in November 2025.

challenges and outlook

like

The structural reform of the diocese of Speyer is therefore not only an organizational adaptation, but also a step into the future through which the church wants to strengthen and adapt its service to the believers. The draft and the associated information are accessible on the diocese website under the link www.bistum-speyer.de/segsein