Pope calls Diocese of Rome to pastoral evaluation: ‘Do less and do it better'
Pope Leo XIV has called on the Diocese of Rome to shift its focus from launching new initiatives to evaluating the effectiveness of existing pastoral programs. He emphasized the importance of personal connection and listening to the community rather than simply increasing the volume of church activities.
Why it matters
This reflects a significant shift in administrative strategy for the Catholic Church, prioritizing quality of engagement over institutional expansion.
By Vatican News Pope Leo XIV has encouraged the Diocese of Rome to begin its new pastoral year by taking time to listen, discern and evaluate its activities, rather than simply adding new initiatives. Addressing the Diocesan Assembly at the Basilica of St John Lateran on Friday, the Pope said he was not presenting a new pastoral programme but proposing a shared method of “pastoral evaluation”. The process, he explained, means stopping to reread what has happened, recognising what has borne fruit, understanding what has not worked and seeking together the reasons why. It should involve the whole ecclesial community and, where possible, also listen to those who do not regularly participate in Church life. [ Why do some initiatives generate paths and others remain isolated? ] ‘Why are you weeping?
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