A place for persons with disabilities
July 21, 2018
Fr Leonard, 80, gives thanks
July 21, 2018

IPCP: A call to holiness, collaborative ministry & communion

Our archdiocese and the region are taking steps towards a collaborative, pastoral model called the Integrated Pastoral Communications Plan (IPCP). Perhaps you have not heard of IPCP or wanted to know more about this new pastoral model? Each week, Vicar for Communications, Fr Robert Christo will share on the IPCP process.

What is IPCP?

IPCP stands for Integrated Pastoral Communications Plan with the term ‘integrated’ calling for the involvement of all forms of communication media within all ministries in the archdiocese which also includes a ‘communication’ component.

Where was IPCP born out of?

The IPCP initiative was born out of the Pastoral Council for Pastoral Communications (1991) which issued a pastoral instruction Aetatis Novae celebrating the rapid communication technologies since the publication of Communio et Progressio (1971) following Vatican Council II.

What is the core of these pontifical pastoral instructions?

The need for the Church to become a bridge between humanity and the digital world is at the heart of it all, alongside designing and implementing an IPCP central to all ministries in the Church.

Opening up of the diversity of communication technologies and IPCP affords us the rich opportunity to begin to think, plan and act collaboratively for the future to reach the evolving generations.

It will allow us to move away from an isolationist and deficient model of being Church and embrace a model more consistent with communion and community.

The transition from a traditional style of ministry to a collaborative one is a gradual process and requires us to pass through some predictable stages (Sofield & Juliano, 1998).

Stage Description Characterised by
No collaboration Collaboration not a value Rigid hierarchical model
Obsession Obsession with talking and writing about collaboration. Endless discussion. Articulate documents but little action.
Ambivalence Belief in the value of collaboration coupled with fear. Attempts at collaboration but no long-term commitment in the face of difficulties.
Action Commitment to collaboration as an operational norm. Willingness to continue even when it is difficult.