Patrick Cash was a systems specialist who consulted on information technology for the Archdiocese of Vancouver and served as chairman of its IT Committee for many years. He died on Feb. 17.
Patrick Cash was mourned last month at an invitation-only funeral Mass. I share his affection for the lovely (but small) chapel of Our Lady of Consolation in Ladner, so will not complain about being unable to attend.
I would have liked to be at Pat’s funeral to acknowledge a great debt to him – and a legacy of continuing value to the Archdiocese.
To appreciate that legacy, consider this recommendation from the 2019 Report on Clergy Sexual Abuse. “All clerics – whether incardinated in the Archdiocese or in ministry in the Archdiocese – should undergo an annual, formal performance review process, similar to the process that permanent deacons currently undertake. This review should be done by a group of people, including lay men and women.”
Since becoming vicar general at the end of 2022, I have been involved in some of the efforts to launch this process; it’s not been easy, and some very dedicated lay people have been frustrated by how slow things have moved.
I’ve often wondered what Pat Cash would make of our delay – because way back in the late 1990s he pioneered a performance review process and almost single–handedly made it work.
“Enhancing Your Ministry” was a tool for priestly assessment developed by a national organization of diocesan councils of priests. It boasted that it was “for priests, by priests,” thus overcoming much of their natural resistance.
Although published in a user-friendly book, the program required a strong leader, trusted by priests, to coordinate it and make it work. Pat was that, and more. Undeterred by reluctant participants, he was salesman and customer in one, pressing priests to take the process seriously as something for their own benefit as well as the Church’s.
A proud Irishman, he treasured the priesthood but was not in awe of priests. He gave straightforward advice and criticism. He used his considerable technical and organizing skills to make “Enhancing Your Ministry” work as designed.
This all but full-time work was done without pay.
I never found out how or why we stopped using the kit: I left my job in the Archdiocese to study in Rome and when I returned it was no more. It may have had something to do with Pat’s increasing attraction to golf or his delightful wife Ruth’s retirement from her career as a school principal.
Most likely, it was because “Enhancing Your Ministry” was a simpler tool for simpler times, and something more complex is demanded in this more difficult era for the Church.
Still, we are struggling to reinvent the wheel – and missing a Pat Cash to steer it!
May he rest in peace.
Msgr. Gregory Smith is Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vancouver vicar general and until 2004 served as Chancellor, working with Patrick Cash.