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RELIGIOUS LIFE
'All religious, whether exempt or not, take their place among the collaborators of the diocesan bishop in his pastoral duty' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 927). All religious communities in East Anglia are an integral part of the diocese, each with their own particular charisms and contribution to the life of our diocesan family and the wider church.Regular area meetings will be held between religious and the Bishop, focusing on a particular theme. These meetings will feed into the annual Diocesan Meeting of religious which provides a forum for all religious in the diocese. The possibility will be explored of establishing a Diocesan Vocations Team to include vocations both to religious life and ordained ministry. Individual religious should be kept in mind when seeking people with particular charisms and talents for special service in the church, whether in parish, cluster, deanery or diocese. Many are already very busy, and making full use of a wide range of skills. The presence of religious communities, however small, is a gift of God to our diocese and its parishes. They provide places of prayer and welcome, a `warm hearth' at the heart of the church with an influence far beyond their numbers. Religious are now often in a special position to enable lay people to become more responsibly involved in the life of the church. Religious should be positively invited and welcomed to all parish events, ceremonies, etc.
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