FutureChurch, CTA help parishes resist unjust closure
The Save Our Parish Community (SOPC) project developed by FutureChurch and supported by CTA is providing education and organizing resources to parishioners in Detroit, New Orleans, Cleveland, New York and many other U.S. dioceses.
NEW YORK. After the N.Y. archdiocese announced it would close 10 parishes and merge 11 others, Our Lady Queen of Angels parishioners began a 24 hour prayer vigil. Former parish council member Carmen Villegas led the effort to keep her 400- member east Harlem parish open. Cardinal Edward Egan's handling of protesters was uncommonly insensitive. Diocesan security agents entered the church and called the police who led Carmen and five other women away in handcuffs. Parishioners who had tried to present their financial plan for staying open were stonewalled by the chancery. One factor is a policy that every parish must have a priest, and the Capuchin Fathers can no longer staff the parish. Parishioners plan a canonical appeal and are holding a prayer vigil on the church steps of the church every Sunday for the foreseeable future. FutureChurch supplied consultation and SOPC resources to parishioners and to New York members of Voice of the Faithful.
DETROIT. In December a 500-member group of clergy and laity called “Elephants in the Living Room” sent the CTA-supported “Do Not Stifle the Spirit!” best practices statement to every parish. Detroit's priest ranks are dwindling much faster than they can be refilled. Today 311 parishes are led by 262 pastors. In 20 years fewer than 90 priests will be available. At press time “Elephants” is sponsoring a forum with noted canon lawyer Fr. James Coriden and FutureChurch's Emily Holtel Hoag. SOPC resources will be on hand. (Ad below)
CLEVELAND. FutureChurch sent “Do Not Stifle the Spirit!” to all priests and pastoral ministers and invited them to hear Jesuit Fr. Bill Clark’s Feb. 27 lecture on “The Authority of the Local Parish.” Also, FutureChurch leadership met with Bishop Richard Lennon where they discussed the statement. FutureChurch cited a 2003 national study showing that 40 percent of merged parishes lost parishioners while parishes staying open with non-clergy directors were more likely to gain parishioners. Lennon claimed FutureChurch’s materials were too focused on the priest shortage. In his view the parish reconfigurations are based more on finances and demographics. Feb. 9, after a four-year, diocesan-wide consultation with laity, officials announced parish clusters that they say are designed to enhance ministry.
NEW ORLEANS. FutureChurch provided resources to St. Francis Cabrini parish struggling to stay open after the archdiocese made a deal to use their $5 million post-hurricane insurance settlement without their knowledge. The archdiocese apparently entered into an arrangement with a religious order to relocate their high school on Cabrini's land, thereby acquiring $20 million in FEMA money, as well as the $5 million from the church insurance. “Almost half of (the archdiocese's $12 million) coverage came from our little church,” said a parishioner. “They want to sell and demolish it and get the money that should go to rebuilding our facility.” Meanwhile FEMA declared Cabrini parish eligible as an historic landmark, sparking a dispute between school supporters and Cabrini parishioners.
ALBANY. Three inner city parishes are staying open after Bishop Howard Hubbard accepted a proposal from the Franciscan community for a collaborative ministry model with the Daughters of Charity. Sr. Margaret Walker, DC became parish life director for all three parishes in August.
A rural parish in the diocese has appealed to the Vatican to stay open after Hubbard accepted the recommendations of a representative body to consolidate six churches into three “worship sites” for one newly established parish with a new name.
Volunteer as a local contact?
If you can be a local contact to address parish closings, email parishrights@futurechurch.org Your chapter will receive a free SOPC Packet. FutureChurch plans to track parish closings throughout the U.S. Visit www.futurechurch.org for periodic updates and links to media stories.