1. The number of parishes in the Archdiocese of 狐狸视频 will drop from 178 to 135 as of Aug. 1. Does that mean those parish churches are closing, too?
No. The parish is a geographic territory, the church is the sacred edifice where Mass and other sacraments are celebrated. None of the decrees issued under 鈥淎ll Things New鈥 entail closing a church, which requires a grave cause that does not include closing a parish. Churches will remain open to the faithful for divine worship. Other buildings in closed parishes could eventually be repurposed for social outreach or other ministries.
2. How many jobs will be lost as a result of the downsizing?
Unclear. A closed parish no longer exists and cannot act as an employer after Aug. 1, according to a new human resources webpage from the archdiocese. In parishes that are merging or sharing a pastor, the pastor has 90 days to evaluate the occupational needs of the new structure. Some laid-off parish employees may be eligible for severance, with a maximum of 12 weeks鈥 pay. They will also be encouraged to apply for other open jobs within the archdiocese.
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3. Earlier drafts of 鈥淎ll Things New鈥 showed 鈥減astorates,鈥 or groups of parishes that would share a pastor. Why was this format dropped in the final plan, and what kind of relationship will the parishes that share a pastor have going forward?
鈥淚n some cases, two or more parishes that share a pastor will work closely and could even combine some ministries and programs. Others will maintain entirely separate congregations that could be miles apart. Pastorate is a term that was used to describe one of several possible scenarios for how these parishes function. Ultimately however, the decisions regarding relationships between two such parishes will be up to the pastor in consultation with the lay parish leadership while fully respecting the separate juridic structures of the parishes involved,鈥 said Lisa Shea, spokeswoman for the archdiocese.
4. Will the parish grade schools that are operated by closing or merging parishes be open this fall? Specifically: Blessed Teresa in Ferguson, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Florissant and 狐狸视频 Catholic Academy, St. Roch and South City Catholic Academy in 狐狸视频.
The plan for school closures or consolidations under 鈥淎ll Things New鈥 will be implemented for the 2024-2025 school year. Schools will stay open this fall unless they do not have enough teachers or students to operate.
5. Will Mass still be celebrated in churches where the parish is being closed or merged?
鈥淟ike many other decisions that impact the daily operations at a given parish, decisions about Mass times and locations will be made by current and incoming pastors,鈥 Shea said.
6. Will there be any updates or comments from the archdiocese regarding appeal letters, as in the total number and/or parishes they come from?
Not while the process is ongoing.
7. If your parish did not get a decree, meaning it is not closing, merging, or absorbing another parish, can you still appeal any decisions under 鈥淎ll Things New?鈥
No. The recourse under canon law only applies to structural changes to an existing parish. Only registered parishioners in a parish that received a decree can file a formal appeal. Priest reassignments are considered personnel changes, not structural changes.
8. What is the next step for Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski after he receives the appeal letters?
Archbishop Rozanski will have 30 days to consider the merits of any appeal before deciding if it should be granted or denied. If he doesn鈥檛 respond at all, that is considered a denial under canon law.
9. What happens if the initial appeal is unsuccessful?
The parishioner may then appeal to the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican.
10. What happens to parish cemeteries if the parish is closed or merged?
The archdiocese has a 鈥渕oral and canonical obligation to care for the dead in perpetuity,鈥 according to an 鈥淎ll Things New鈥 document.
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