Camden Diocese Cuts Parish Number in Half!
The Diocese of Camden has done a groundbreaking thing in cutting the number of its parishes in half. As a result, I believe the whole diocese will have to undergo cathechesis for learning how to be "Church" again. I believe it will revitalize the diocese and the local "parishes." Of course, there will be defections and hate letters, but most of us know, this is a courageous act that is very much needed.
Planning is becoming an integral part of parish and diocesan life. What people's thoughts about it and what is going on around the country?
This is somthing that can
This is somthing that can truly happen. It only goes to show that the status quo is not working. Many miracles will come from this process. -Those anticipated and those not anticiapated.
Where does Bishop Joseph
Where does Bishop Joseph Galente reside? Some years ago, I thought that the bishop abandoned his cathedral chair and chambers to live out in the suburb of Blackwood.
Yes, he lives in Blackwood.
Yes, he lives in Blackwood. But, Blackwood is hardly considered a suburb these days.
Isn't it too bad that there
Isn't it too bad that there are so many problems with logistics because of a "priest" shortage. No one seems to address that reality. Perhaps if the bishops would open their eyes and their hearts regarding the people themselves they would address this issue when they meet together....However, this would demand that they act with courage to truly address the needs of the people.... the "Church". The worry about what to do with statues and such things pale in what is truly the problem...
I seem to recall the bishops
I seem to recall the bishops discussing this very matter in the synod a couple years back... (here it is)
Numbers 11 and 12 are the relevant portion, and in the end is what these diocesan reorganizations are about. While it may be desirable, keeping the old ethnic inner city parishes open and independent (one every few blocks in cities throughout the north east and upper mid-west) is not plausible, even if there were enough priests to staff them. They no longer have the congregation to support them, because Catholics have followed the shift back out to the suburbs. It is a matter of a demographic shift that is the Church is finally addressing.
The concern about what will happen to the temporal goods of a parish may seem trivial, but these are things that were bought by the donations of parishioners, in the case of inner city parishes, usually poor immigrant parishioners giving out of what they needed. They are heirlooms, and many still have strong devotions to a particular saint.
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Some dioceses will choose to
Some dioceses will choose to keep inner city catholic schools open as a work of mercy, charity, and justice. Those are not trivial choices and often involve economic heroics on the part of catholics in those dioceses.
In our diocese-Maine-lots of
In our diocese-Maine-lots of rural small parishes, churches are being combined in to clusters. Each cluster-29 I think-will be one parish with several churches. I think this can work when several churches are near each other but can be a real problem when distance and winter is a factor. Our cluster is six parishes in the process of becoming one parish with 6 churches. The largest church has about 1500 families. The smallest about 100 families. Dilemmas: The little church is 30 minutes drive from the biggest. This is a problem in winter weather. The little church is a vibrant community with standing room only every Sunday. 3 priests and one deacon will staff the new parish with one office. Where will it be? What about the two Catholic schools, the Catholic hospital? Lay people are involved in many ministries but unsure how clustering will change things if activities are centralized. There are many more unresolved issues but that will give you an idea.
Well it won't effect me
Well it won't effect me directly (the parish I cross into the diocese for occasionally will remain its own parish), but only time will tell beyond the parish itself (it probably will also retain priests who will continue the traditional charism of the parish, hopefully including the EF of the Mass).
It may impact some people I know in its potential effect on Mater Ecclesiae (a personal parish that uses the EF exclusively), as the parish it was juridically a mission of is being merged with another, but at this point 'Mater' is to continue functioning as it has. (Well maybe with a few new statues... they have 'rescued' a dozen (or more) statues from other churches, most of which have found homes in the parish hall, along with (IIRC) a painting of the crucifixion that must have been part of a reredos).
I think that it is interesting that I heard so little about the development of the plan (living on the border of the diocese) until the final plan was announced. I would assume keeping the process out of the media would help curtail some of strongest reactions (parish occupations, canonical lawsuits), but only time will tell.
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Let me guess, you go to St.
Let me guess, you go to St. Peter's in Merchantville? Didn't know you were so local.
The plan really wasn't kept under wraps at all. There has been a 5 year process that included all the people in the Diocese (well at least those who are involved!)
It actually was very inclusive and regional. It took a lot of work.
For my part, I am considering return to active priestly ministry for the diocese. It is the least I can do.
Perhaps not "under wraps",
Perhaps not "under wraps", but "out of the headlines", at least until the announcement. When Steubie was doing their study there was a lot of noise and therefore more coverage of any possible controversy. Trenton Diocese is doing theirs piecemeal, one deanery at a time (imho, a mistake), and therefore we will continue to hear about it as it draws closer (Since you are familiar with the area, you may know that the parishes in the area are pretty full, thus we will be one of the last deaneries in the study.)
Now, of course I am wondering if we have ever bumped into each other... I will continue to keep your discernment in my prayers, and I hope that you do return to ministry (but, as always, God's will be done!)
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As much as I enjoy St Pete's 7.5 miles by bike is rough, so I'm only making it up there once a month or so.
Yes, the process was not in
Yes, the process was not in the headlines, not even a sidebar.
Stuebie is definitely a different kind of study for a different area. My uncle, even though retired, is one of the most popular priests in the Stuebenville diocese and years ago was pastor of a very vibrant community. Today, other than the university, Steubenville is like a ghost town.
I also agree with you about Trenton and your humble opinion, I believe, is correct.
Thanks for the prayers and if we haven't bumped into one another in the past, maybe we will in the future. As long as you wear a "Here Today" name tag, I will recognize you!
Also, although we differ in theology, St. Pete's pastor is a really great guy.
jstab, did you see the
jstab, did you see the article in NCR about a decision to re-open a catholic school, which then is giving life again to an inner city area? Miracle in Memphis You might want to check it out since it was so much what we were discussing in another thread.
Good wishes on your own discernment!