"If this law does not get changed, we will be without the priests, and it will cause a lot of holes," said Father James Proffitt, archdiocesan vicar for clergy.

"This will impact the church's ability to minister, especially in other languages. Finding non-native speakers is a real challenge. Some ministries just won't be able to happen if we don't have priests to fill the void."

Father Proffitt noted that countries represented among the foreign-born priests serving in the archdiocese include Cameroon, Nigeria, Mexico, Uganda, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Colombia and Italy.

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The Archdiocese of Baltimore presented a bold initiative named "Seek the City to Come."

It aims to reimagine parish structures amidst declining attendance, diminished revenue and ageing infrastructure.

Bishop Bruce A Lewandowski, co-leader of the project, emphasised the necessity for innovative solutions, warning against clinging to outdated methods.

"We are looking to read the signs of the times" Lewandowski said.

"We're opening ourselves to the gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit, and asking the spirit to guide and lead us forward to a church that will be renewed, refreshed and revived and growing."

The proposed models include a mosaic approach, where parishes host multiple ministries. The concept is of a radiating parish with fewer core parishes acting as hubs for satellite sites, and a "Catholic commons" model akin to street-level operations seen in urban evangelical communities.

The initiative's final recommendations are anticipated by mid-April, with completion expected in May.

Starting points for discussion

Geri Royale Byrd, director of community affairs for the archdiocese, stressed that these models are starting points for discussion. He is urging parishioners' involvement in shaping the future of their churches.

"These specific parish types are there really just to spark our imagination, our creativity" said Byrd. "They help us to see what's possible and what we can do, how we can reimagine."

Parish leaders engaged in discussions and contemplated how these models could advance Gospel and humanitarian missions. They would need to address concerns about preserving tradition, serving diverse demographics and managing costly infrastructure.

Deacon Patrick Woods from St Pius X church in Towson envisioned the radiating model would revitalise outreach along corridors with empty storefronts. He sees that model as offering smaller, more inviting spaces for potential believers.

The meeting, though hopeful, revealed the complexities ahead.

Questions linger about the fate of historic buildings, financial implications and the balance between tradition and innovation.

Despite uncertainties, Archbishop William E Lori affirmed the collaborative nature of the process and acknowledged the difficult decisions ahead.

Sources

The Baltimore Sun

CathNews New Zealand

Lori's policy is emphasising the need for a compassionate and understanding approach based on Church teaching and revelation.

The archbishop released the 14-page document "Like Every Disciple" in the form of a personal letter.

The letter seeks to offer support and genuine accompaniment to individuals who identify as LGBT or gender nonconforming.

In the introduction to the guidance, Lori highlighted that every disciple is called to a lifelong journey of turning towards the Lord and deepening their relationship with Him.

Lori is stressing the significance of baptism, which marks individuals as beloved sons and daughters of God, forming their truest identity.

Increased LGBT awareness in the Church

The archbishop acknowledged the increased awareness within the Church regarding the experiences of individuals with same-sex attraction or gender discordance, commonly identified as LGBT.

Archbishop Lori emphasised that these individuals, like all human beings, are children of God and members of the Body of Christ, deserving of love and pastoral care.

Lori's guidance emphasises that LGBT ministry should prioritise pastoral accompaniment rather than advocating for changes to Church teaching.

The focus is on fostering a relationship with Christ while upholding the liberating truth about the human person as revealed through Jesus Christ.

The archbishop recognised the polarised discourse surrounding Catholicism and LGBT identities and urged for a different approach.

The main questions he posed were how to offer pastoral accompaniment while remaining faithful to Church teaching on human sexuality and how such accompaniment can lead individuals to a deeper relationship with Christ and the Church.

Six essential characteristics

Lori's guidance focuses on six different "essential characteristics of pastoral accompaniment." These are:

• recognising the reality of our need
• showing compassion, respect and sensitivity
• journeying together in light of our calling
• having a different kind of conversation
• living "rooted in the Church"
• a willingness to "make the long journey"

LGBT Catholics and their allies have given the guidelines mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the guidelines as a step in the right direction while others have criticised them as being too restrictive.

Archbishop Lori writes that the guidelines are "not intended to be a comprehensive manual for LGBT ministry" but rather "a starting point for conversation and reflection." He hopes the guidelines will help "form Christian disciples" among LGBT people and their families.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

Outreach

62 of the archdiocese's 147 parishes - 47 in Baltimore City and 15 outside city parishes - are involved in the initiative.

According to archdiocesan data, 20 per cent of city pews were filled for Mass before the pandemic, and now only about 9 per cent are filled.

The same source shows there are less than 5,000 registered Catholics in the city, down from about 30,000 in the 1990s.

"The demographics have changed. With that the number of Catholics in the city has changed," Lori said.

"Many people still support city parishes, but nonetheless, there have been a sufficient number of important and significant changes in the city of Baltimore that a comprehensive process seemed appropriate."

Archbishop William Lori (pictured) of Baltimore has committed to a two-year synodal-based listening process before making any decisions on the future of the diocese.

Lori announced the new initiative "Seek the City to Come" on 29 September. He acknowledged that changing demographics and a declining Catholic population in the city were both factors in the decision.

Lori added that the COVID-19 pandemic "had a disproportionate effect on a number of city parishes."

Geri Royale Byrd is leading and facilitating the effort for the archdiocese alongside Auxiliary Bishop Bruce Lewandowski.

Byrd told Crux that the initiative has three phases: a listening phase, perhaps as long as two years, followed by envisioning and discernment phases that will take four to six months each.

The listening phase includes parish visits to all 62 churches involved, multiple Zoom and telephone conferences, and opportunities for parishioners to provide written feedback through paper, digital and electronic surveys, and comment submissions on the archdiocese's website, Byrd said.

Lori credited Pope Francis's emphasis on synodality for some of the inspiration for this synodal approach to the initiative. He called the synodal process "a great gift" that the archdiocese recognised through the diocesan synod phase.

The archbishop emphasised that they would allow the process to play out before any decisions to close Baltimore parishes are made.

Sources

• CruxNow
• The Dialog