The Diocese of Brentwood has appointed Steven Webb as Director of Development for a three-year fixed period. Currently director of the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society, Steven will facilitate a time of discernment, decision making and change for the Diocese, as it seeks to make best use of its resources to spread the Gospel and to offer the best possible pastoral support to Catholics across Essex and East London.
His role will involve the design and management of a diocesan change plan involving clergy, lay people and other stakeholders. In this, Steven will work both with clergy and with the lay Stewards of the Gospel, who have been appointed in each parish to develop a plan for evangelisation and speak for the laity on pastoral priorities in the Diocese for the next 20 years. Plans for the future may include the re-drawing of parish boundaries and significant re-allocation of resources – human, financial and material – where that best serves the Gospel.
Said Bishop Alan Williams: “I am delighted that Steven Webb is to become our Director of Development. An engaging communicator, he has a positive and exciting vision for the development of the Diocese going forward. And, as a Steward of the Gospel himself, he is very passionate about evangelisation and how we can best proclaim the Gospel in changing times.”
Steven Webb commented: “It is an honour and a privilege to be given this opportunity. It is a huge responsibility and one that we need to tackle in the joyful, optimistic spirit of Evangelii Gaudium. I am looking forward to working with clergy and others across the diocese, including the hugely talented group of Stewards.”
Steven has been Director of the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (which provides counselling for children and their families) for five years and he leaves it with regret. “It is the most fantastic charity: a hidden gem in the Diocese which helps thousands of children and young adults – regardless of their beliefs – every year.”