Bishop disbanding diocesan office

As of July 1, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger will dissolve the Albany Diocese's Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life and reassign its services to other diocesan departments.

"The mission of the Albany diocesan Pastoral Center is to provide the best possible service to all our parishes. An organizational study conducted in the fall of 2014 offered recommendations for improvement. Bishop Scharfenberger will initiate some major changes in the departmental structure to further this end," said a statement from the Diocese.

Regarding the OECFL:

• Marriage preparation is being reassigned to the Office of Ministry Formation. That office will also oversee formation for catechetical leaders. The Diocese said the change reflects that, "ideally, Catholic married couples are committing themselves to a life of discipleship, forming their families in the faith and bearing witness to Christ's love in the world through their relationship."

• Oversight of catechist formation, support for parishes and schools, respect life initiatives and catechetical support for persons with disabilities will become part of the ministry of the Catholic Schools Office.

• Support for parishes in the area of sacramental formation, Christian initiation and ongoing formation of adults will be reassigned to the Office of Prayer and Worship.

• Youth and young adult ministry will become part of the Office of Campus Ministry.

In addition, Bishop Scharfenberger has been working with the diocesan Presbyteral Council on a "reconstitution" of that council. Previously, the position of administrative advocate for priests was renamed "vicar for clergy" and the diocesan director of vocations was retitled "vicar for vocations."

Having already hired a social media consultant (read a story at www.evangelist.org) to enhance evangelization and the Diocese's digital profile, the Bishop is also hiring a "director of parish services" July 1 to provide better support to parishes and their leaders.

With the transitions, Bishop Scharfenberger hopes "to further enhance and develop the way the Gospel is proclaimed, broadening and deepening the impact the Catholic Church has on communities within the Albany Diocese."[[In-content Ad]]