Located in the Tarn region of southern France, the Archdiocese of Albi has been divided into 503 parishes since the Middle Ages. Over the Pentecost weekend, however, Archbishop Jean Legrez, (pictured) completely re-organized them into 21 new parishes. It is an impressive change. In coming to this decision, the Archdiocese of Albi has followed a Read more
On Sunday May 28th people from St Joseph’s school and parish in Hawera gathered for the opening of a new Mission Centre. The Mission Centre is a unique venture for the Diocese of Palmerston North. It combines the school and parish administration areas in one shared building. The school and parish secretaries work alongside each Read more
Now that Napier’s three parishes have been combined decisions have to be made about the use of the buildings. The four lay staff and three priests, who previously worked within the three parishes of St Mary’s, St Patrick’s and St Thomas More, are presently working out of the unified parish’s temporary site at St Mary’s Read more
The leaders of 24 reform groups are asking Pope Francis to halt the Church’s practice of clustering parishes as a response to the shortage of priests. In an open letter, 32 signatories told the Pope that the future of parish life is “massively threatened”. According to an article in the National Catholic Reporter, the letter Read more
New York archdiocese has moved to merge more than 50 of its 368 parishes with neighbouring parishes. In a column published online in Catholic New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan said 14 per cent of the archdiocese’s 368 parishes would undergo a “purgatory” of sorts and be merged with neighbours. “I wish it could be different. Read more
The Archbishop Wellington, New Zealand, John Dew has announced a major organisation of the parishes in the Archdiocese. Some parishes will merge to create a new parish. All parish churches will be retained. The parish mergers will be implemented over a period of two years and will be completed no later that 1 February 2016. Read more
In the Archdiocese of Wellington, New Zealand, Archbishop John Dew has drawn up a plan – A Future Full Of Hope – to reduce the number of parishes in the Archdiocese. The plan, based on an extensive two-year review, was recently presented to parish priests, parish leaders and school principals at meetings held at Viard Read more
A nun with a gambling addiction is facing criminal grand larceny charges for embezzling funds from two parishes in upstate New York. She reportedly stole $NZ155,000 and spent it at casinos while working as a pastoral associate. Continue reading
Pope Benedict has given his opinion that Catholics who become converts to evangelical churches often do so because they experience a lack of fervour, joy and community within Catholic parishes — not because of doctrinal reasons. “Often sincere people who leave our Church do not do so as a result of what non-Catholic groups believe, Read more
A major reorganisation is ahead for the New Zealand diocese of Christchurch with the planned formation of 18 new parishes. “New and wider parish boundaries will now include previously separate parish communities, making possible a sharing of resources, both human and material. These changes will cause some sorrow and sadness, but also present new opportunities. For many Read more