Posted on 02/06/2016 4:38:13 PM PST by marshmallow
(AP) - The Archdiocese of Chicago expects to close an undetermined number of parishes in coming years due largely to a shortage of priests.
Archbishop Blase Cupich outlined a "multi-year planning process" in a column in this week's archdiocesan newsletter, Catholic New World.
He says "demographics have shifted dramatically" in recent decades, buildings are in disrepair and fewer priests means resources are spread too thinly.
Cupich says by the time the process is complete "we will mourn together the loss of some parishes."
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagobusiness.com ...
As bad as this sounds, I suspect the problem is more likely that there are fewer parishioners, not just priests (while the latter is also a problem). My diocese in NJ is doing the same thing; we’re past closing schools, and now close churches.
The American Catholic hierarchy is reaping what they’ve sown.
But here in the greater Tucson area the parishes are bursting and expanding, except that is, in the predominantly Mexican areas. Even daily mass is well attended in the five churches that I go to in my area.
I think that because we have gotten a lot of retirees from the Midwest, they have brought their devotedness with them, which is a beautiful thing.
I am so sorry that the Catholic church has lost its vibrancy in those communities. I liked listening to the stories where on each corner there was a Catholic church, and many times they were the center of a European enclave in that neighborhood, where traditions were kept alive through the generations.
The white Catholic population in NJ is migrating southward from the northeast section of the state, but I think the hierarchy is much more analytical before building new churches in central NJ now. The Hispanics that are displacing whites in the northeast are often Catholic, but not he contributing kind - so when a building needs major repairs it is susceptible to closure because the new occupants won’t raise the money. Storefront “protestant” churches also siphon off a good number of those Hispanics as well.
Our cities have those formerly ethnic parishes (literally blocks apart), and while they served a purpose at one time they have become a real albatross; people who haven’t attended in years (due to moving out of the area) show up to protest when the parish is merged or closed, or even if a priest can’t be found who speaks the original language of the parish (even if such non-English Masses are no longer necessary).
Thank-you for additional insight.
You’re welcome, and thank you for sharing the hopeful story from your area. It is distressing here in NJ to watch not just the parish network, but the whole educational and healthcare system Catholics built over more than a century be dismantled.
My town had five Catholic elementary schools and one Catholic high school when I was born (nearly fifty years ago); today all are closed (though there is still a sizable Catholic population here). The public school taxes are so high few can afford Catholic school tuition on top of them, and the Catholic leaders here won’t fight for vouchers that may help us Catholic taxpayers use their school system.
As you may know, Chicago has a very large Polish community. Because of that, the Archdiocese of Chicago has been able to recruit many young men from Poland to complete their studies at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, about 30 miles north of Chicago. So this news of a shortage has me baffled.
For over 20 years, my parish in the northwest Chicago suburbs has at least one Polish priest at any time as an associate pastor if not the pastor. And we have never had a shortage of priests. Again, this is kind of baffling.
My town (of 40K) has three parishes that celebrated Mass in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Lithuanian; the Lithuanian Mass has been discontinued due to the lack of Lithuanian priests (coupled with the fact that there are no new Lithuanians in the area that need it). Neighboring towns have Masses in Polish and Italian as well.
So far loser: Martha Raddatz. Absurd pre-suppositions in her questions.
Not enough homosexuals applying to seminary, I guess.
I’m a lapsed Catholic but really object to your comment.
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For some reason they have been unable to recruit local Chicagoans to the seminary. I would love to know the background and determine whether there has been ongoing resistance to denying traditional seminary applicants.
The bishops sided with the federal gov’t against their people when the gov’t decided to ethnically cleanse American cities, dispersing the Catholics into the suburbs, where they have become what the gov’t wanted them to become: Nones.
Christianity in the U.S. is collapsing, while the Nones are exploding. The Christians will be carted off to the camps, while the Nones will applaud.
Cupich doing the Hubbard thing.
Try and get educational vouchers for your Catholic schools. It works here in the Tucson area. We have our tax credits go to Immaculate Heart HS and it gives us so much joy to do so.
I think we need more workers in the vineyard of the Lord, (always) and missionaries should be brought back into those areas, such as yours, that have their fruit withering on the vine.
I don’t know why it is, but there are churches of all denominations in the Tucson area are thriving. Most of my neighbors, except the obvious liberal ones, are regular church going. The Christmas parade in my town, Oro Valley, is represented with the kids from the parochial schools and the Christian academies.
My husband and I will keep your parish in our prayers. You are not a voice in the wilderness. I know myself, that I should pray for more faith. God Bless you and your parish. When i attend Mass with the students in weekly attendance, I will think of you. I am so sad that the miracle of Catholic benevolence and tradition is fading in NJ. Who would have ever thought...
Why.
If WE are the largest Christian country in the world then our faith is in jeopardy since we have become so very secular. We are too fat 'n happy.
Just an opinion.
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