"The issue of parish closings turns on more than demographics and money."

[hedgehog]

"Indeed, some would say the forces at work are changing church life as we know it, even if the changes are unplanned and largely unspoken of outside of groups whose lives and ministries are directly affected. Beyond grieving parishioners and beleaguered priests lie giant questions about lay ministry; about whether bishops who don’t prefer the lay option are using the priest shortage as a reason to close and consolidate healthy parishes that could easily survive with a parish life coordinator; and about hierarchical accountability. In some instances, the anger of parishioners is fed by skepticism arising from the bishops’ handling of the sexual-abuse crisis and financial scandals."


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http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/3090