The Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre at Carmody Road , St Augustine , has been closed. Archbishop Edward Gilbert makes the announcement in his regular column on the back page of this week's paper.

The Chaplaincy, which has shared the same building with the Centre, is not affected by the closure.

The news came as part of a report on meetings the Archbishop convened earlier this month with regional vicars and the vicars or delegates of some of the Archdiocesan commissions, and a meeting of the Archdiocesan Personnel Board (See Archbishop's Column).

As a significant factor leading to the closure, the Archbishop mentioned the “low participation” at events taking place at the Centre stemming from the crime situation in the nation.

The decision to close the centre has resulted in a wider scope of responsibilities for various departments of the Archdiocese. Notably, five commissions (Catechetics, Communications, Family Life, Liturgy and Evangelisation) operating as a collaborative unit will serve the ministry of Adult Formation. Archbishop Gilbert will himself chair this committee for one year.

The Catholic Student Movement and the Archdiocesan Vocations Director will continue to make use of the Centre's facilities.