Spanish Archdiocese [of Barcelona] to Combine Parishes Amid Falling Numbers

UCA News ^ | 5/23/21 | CNS

[marshmallow]

Barcelona Archdiocese will place most parishes into larger pastoral communities amid declining church attendance and secularization

Barcelona Archdiocese will combine most parishes into larger pastoral communities amid falling church attendance and secularization.

A statement on the archdiocesan website said most Spanish dioceses were facing the same process. It said three to six parishes would be grouped together, resulting in 48 pastoral communities.

"The intention of an eventual diocesan reorganization is better distribution of pastoral resources, to obtain maximum pastoral efficiency and adequate support for the resulting pastoral units," said the May 18 statement. "The aim is to reinforce common work and synodality among priests, laity, religious and deacons, when it is more difficult today for parishes to offer a full range of services."

News of the reorganization comes amid continuing disputes over plans by the Spanish government to make the Catholic Church -- whose members make up 61 percent of Spain's 47 million inhabitants -- relinquish what Spain says are improperly acquired assets.

More than a third of the country's 70 Catholic dioceses are currently in deficit, according to the church's latest annual activity report, at a time when more than 4 million citizens rely on charitable help from the church.

[Marchmain]

I wonder, is there anywhere the Catholic Church is growing?

[kearnyirish2]

Possibly in the developing world; materially comfortable people seem to forget about Hell quickly (and their clergy does as well).