Parish Life Coordinators - Leadership of Canon 517.2 Parishes
Many dioceses instal pastoral leaders under Canon Law, Code 517.2, which provides for the pastoral and administrative care of a parish to be placed in the hands of a deacon, religious, or lay person, who serves the needs of a parish. This person works in collaboration with a priest minister and a non-resident priest supervisor to provide pastoral and sacramental care for the parish.
A study of Canon 517.2 parishes and leadership has been completed. These studies, conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown (CARA), show a portrait of this model of pastoral leadership. Results are summarized in a CARA Special Report that is available online and can also be purchased from the National Association for Lay MInistry.
In addition, CARA has condcuted a series of focus groups of bishops on the use and theological understanidng of Canon 527.2 In the six focus groups, bishops from across the country provided insight into the current use of Canon 517.2. The results of this study should be available by Summer 2007.
Related Reports & Articles
Parish Life Coordinators
by
Kathy Hendricks
February 4, 2010
More and more, Catholic parishes are being entrusted to religious, deacons and lay pastoral leaders. Sometimes called "Parish Life Coordinators," they offer unique gifts to the Church. This book outlines how the PLC model works, shares best practices, offers practical implementation ideas, and more.
Short Summary of Major Findings of Phase I
by
Marti Jewell, D.Min.
April 25, 2009
After five years of study and conversation with lay and ordained pastoral leaders across the country, the extensive findings, an in-depth study, can be summarized as representing a paradigmatic shift in how parish life is structured and served.
Book Review: Shaping Catholic Parishes
September 11, 2008
In reviewing the first book in the Emerging Models Series, David Gibson says 'the book's riches can only be hinted at.' Gibson looks at diversity, collaboratin, and young adults as he reviews Shaping Catholic Parishes.
Book Review: Shaping Catholic Parishes
September 10, 2008
In a review of "Shaping Catholic Parishes" for Church Magazine, Bill Pickett names the value of this first book -- the first in the Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership Series -- for those dealing with change in parish leadership.
Deacons Entrusted with the Pastoral Care of a Parish According to Canon 517.2
by
Mark M. Gray, Ph.D.
July 6, 2008
The number of parishes entrusted to deacons under Canon 517.2 has been steadily rising over the past fifteen years. Project studies conducted by CARA indicated significant differences between deacons and others who served PLCs and so an analysis of those differences has been developed.
Shaping Catholic Parishes
by
Carole Ganim, Ph.D., Editor
June 2, 2008
First in the Emerging Models of Catholic Leadership Series, "Shaping Catholic Parishes" published by Loyola Press is a "must read'" and can be purchased now from any of the Project Partners or from Loyola Press.
Listening to the Spirit: Bishops and Parish Life Coordinators
by
Mary Bendyna, RSM, Ph.D.,
Tricia C. Bruce, Ph.D.,
Mary L. Gautier, Ph.D.
March 17, 2008
Bishop focus groups discussed the use of Canon 517.2 and the use of parish life coordinators and sacramental minsters. "Overall, bishops report a positive assessment of their experience with PLCs. Most, however, identify this as a less-than-ideal solution to the priest shortage, describing PLCs as a 'temporary' measure until priests can be assigned as pastors."
An in-depth study of Canon 517.2 is one of a number of research initiatives conducted on different emerging models of pastoral leadership.
Parish Pastoral Leaders: Canonical Structures and Practical Questions
by
Rev. James Coriden, JCD, JD
May 9, 2007
One of the models of parish pastoral leadership that has emerged over the past twnety-five years is the use of Canon 517.2 to provide pastoral leadership in a parish withiout a pastor. As the canon is used, questions and conversations have arisen about specific points in living out the canon. "Parish Pastoral Leaders" focuses on some of these questions.
Suggested Best Practices for Parish Life Coordinators and Sacramental Ministers
May 2, 2007
During the winter of 2007, nearly one hundred pastoral leaders gathered to discuss best practices for those ministering under Canon 517.2. Following is a list of suggestions surfaced by the participants.
Understanding the Ministry and Experience: Parish Life Coordinators in the United States
August 1, 2005
New to the Roman Catholic Church’s 1983 Code of Canon Law was the following (517, §2): If the diocesan bishop should decide that due to a dearth
of priests a participation in the exercise of the pastoral care of a parish is to be entrusted to a deacon or to some other person who is not a priest or to a
community of persons, he is to appoint some priest endowed with the powers and faculties of a pastor to supervise the pastoral care.
Parishes Entrusted to Parish Life Coordinators
July 1, 2005
This report presents a profile and analysis of trends from data on parishes without
resident priest pastors that are entrusted to Parish Life Coordinators (PLCs) collected by
the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University for
The National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM) and its five partner organizations as
part of a Lilly funded project “Developing and Sustaining the Emerging Models of
Pastoral Leadership in the Catholic Church in the United States.”
Understanding the Ministry: Parish Life Coordinators in the United States
March 1, 2005
This report presents a comprehensive profile of those deacons, religious, and lay persons providing, under Canon 517.2, pastoral and administrative leadership in parishes without a resident pastor. Called 'parish life coordinators' in this study, there are more than 30 titles for this position.
A Profile of Lay Ecclesial Ministers Serving as Parish Life Coordinators
April 1, 2004
This report presents results from the 2002 Lay Ecclesial Minister Poll conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. This national random sample telephone poll includes interviews with 795 lay ecclesial
ministers in Catholic parishes in the United States.
Related News
Parish Life Coordinators, Sacramental Ministers, and Priest Moderators
February 22, 2007
Best practices for parish life coordinators and sacramental ministers were surfaced in two research symposium hosted by the Emerging Models Project. 100 participants from across the country were invited to engage the conversation of best practices for those ministering under Canon 517.2.
