Diocesan strategic planning process prepares for fall session on governance

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The public portion of the Diocese of Covington’s spring strategic planning process has all but concluded, with Bishop John Iffert preparing to hear the priorities identified from the three commission.

“The committees have brought their data forward, and probably in the next two weeks we should have a good idea on the priorities that have bubbled up across the three commissions,” said Deacon Jim Fortner, chief operation officer for the Diocese of Covington. “Then, we will draft the priorities based on what we heard. We are going to review that with the commission leaders,” he said, “Then they look at it and then they make adjustments based on what they heard.”

Once the commission leaders, Deacon Fortner and the strategic planning consultants are aligned on the identified positions, they will be presented to Bishop Iffert. His feedback will then be taken back to the commission leaders for an update. At the end of this process, “we got the priorities ready to go, publish, and then we work on the actual plan underneath it. So, we’ll have the goals, priorities, and then we’ll have an actual planning team…their job is to then take it into a specific action plan,” said Deacon Fortner.

A key element of the strategic planning process so far has been the input of the faithful throughout the diocese, with lay leaders, clergy and religious all coming together. “It’s been beautiful,” said Deacon Fortner, “you’re putting responsibility on the people to help us make these decisions.” He continued saying, “It’s been phenomenal. The amount o support that we got, the passion from people has been invigorating because folks recognize that this is a big opportunity to provide input into a strategic plan,” he said.

Part of the spring’s strategic planning process was gathering data, both quantitative and qualitative, in the form of anecdotal evidence from committee members. Deacon Fortner referred to the data gathered as, “rich insights,” which was gathered by, “listening to people, looking at other diocese, which we’ve done across the board,” he said. This data, and the priorities identified from it, will be key when beginning the fall portion of the strategic planning for diocesan governance.

“We started with the spring commissions, they give input on what they need from the Curia,” said Deacon Fortner. “That’s why it was really important to start with those spring commissions and let that feed the Curia.”

“This is a synodal process,” said Deacon Fortner, “at the end of the day, this is all about salvation of souls, this is all about leading people to a sacramental lifestyle. Everything we do in this strategy work needs to ultimately lead to that.”