How to Fix Internal Division in an Organization

Strategic Plans The Fraternal Society of St. Pius X is a non-profit organization that caters to Traditional Catholic individuals seeking a Traditional Catholic education that is at variance with the modern Catholic education based on the principles expressed in the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). This organization addresses a number of issues in its strategic plan, which focuses on building a network of parishes and schools in order to foster communities dedicated to revitalizing Traditional Catholicism in everyday life.

These issues range from how to dress to how to think critically about doctrine. However, some issues are being clouded in light of the organization's advances towards the modern Church which espouses a more progressive doctrine. For example, the leaders of the Fraternal Society have in recent years expressed approval of the principles laid down in the Second Vatican Council. This is a new development in the Fraternal Society which is not addressed in the organization's strategic plan.

As a result, a number of individuals involved in the organization experienced a high degree of confusion and feelings of misdirection. Many who vocalized their concerns were expelled from the organization without any substantial explanation other than that concerns were causing strife and division. As Bryson (2011) indicates, it is important to develop the management team so that it supports the overall strategy of the organization.

In the case of the Fraternal Society, the apparent transition in terms of strategy and approach regarding the teachings of the modern Church has led management to undergo a seeming crisis of identity.

This is the major issue that needs to be addressed in order to right the strife-ridden organization: the Superior General of the Society has attempted to clarify the situation by explaining why he has chosen to re-examine the principles of the Council and interpret them in a new light, but the fact that such an explanation is necessary undermines the direction that management is used to following.

The Society, historically, has always defined itself in terms of Traditional principles -- essentially those established by Pope Pius X, for whom the Society takes its name. But this re-orientation, which focuses on integration with the modern Church and its doctrine, does not correlate with the directives management has embodied for a number of years. Therefore, it is essential that management either take steps to meet with the Superior General, whose efforts are the source of this division, or be educated on the basis of the General's new directive.

Either will likely yield some positive results, namely that education and action be taken, whether in the direction of the old principles or the new. What matters is that unity and cohesion be implemented at once in the manner of educative materials, training, and orientation.

The Free Management Library (n.d.) offers an effective strategy for identifying issues and goals of organizations -- which is what has been done here: by examining external factors that have internally affected the organization, it becomes apparent how the internal division can be resolved -- which is by implementing an external change/clarification in.