Lay jobs axed in Portsmouth

Five senior lay staff in the Diocese of Portsmouth will lose their jobs as part of a reorganisation that will see priests taking up key roles in the local curia.

Under the reforms, the head of the Department for Pastoral Formation, director of liturgy, and advisers for stewardship and collaborative ministry, youth ministry and catechesis and adult formation are being made redundant.

Three of these positions, including the department head, are occupied by women. Seven posts are due to go in total out of a curial staff of 37.

Portsmouth Diocese's central administration will now be reorganised into three new episcopal vicariates headed by priests.

The diocese says the cuts are needed to help it meet a projected £500,000 shortfall.