The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese of the Catholic Church on Friday launched a five-year Diocesan Strategic Plan to enhance the sustainability of the church’s mission.

The church’s mission is to make visible a faith driven, united, self-reliant diocese founded on the value of Christ.

As part of the Strategic Plan spanning 2013 to 2017, the diocese would reposition itself to deal decisively with issues of becoming a truly united and inclusive church, harness available local resources, enough pastoral agents and ultimately become self-supporting.

Addressing participants at the launch in Bolgatanga, Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, Catholic Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, said despite achievements accomplished in the area of education, health, agriculture and social interventions, the diocese was still challenged with its over dependence on external support.

This, he said, had not systematically evolved the necessary institutions, systems and processes to sustain the local church.

“The Diocesan Strategic Plan is therefore meant to help us take stock of the past and plan concretely for the next three to five years, building on our strengths as a diocese and addressing our weaknesses,” he said.

Most Rev. Agyenta said as part of the thematic areas of the strategic plan, the diocese was committed to promoting human development with emphasis on evangelization, livelihood and advocacy, education, health, good governance, justice and peace in the region.

A secure livelihood, he said, was only adequate and sustainable if access to income and other resources enabled households to meet their basic needs with adequate access to food, potable water, health, educational opportunities, housing, participation and social integration.

He expressed optimism that a closer working relationship with civil society, religious bodies, and government institutions would see the full implementation of the strategic plan.

Most Rev. Agyenta appealed to all stakeholders, especially parish priests, to show the necessary leadership, creativity and commitment to the entire project.

He expressed gratitude to Missio Archen, a benefactor organization in Germany for co-financing the project.

Launching the strategic plan, Most Rev. Vincent Boi-Naah, Catholic Bishop of Yendi Diocese, said pastoral care and evangelization should be the first principal pillar in the full implementation of the diocesan strategic plan.

He commended the diocese for the initiative and urged them to fully embrace the policy of self-reliance for sustainable growth.

Madam Lucy Awuni, Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, in a good will message, called on the diocese to establish a clear monitoring and evaluation framework to see to the full implementation of the plan, saying “the church has the ability to effect change for a better society”.