Writer recommends merger of diocese
The following letter to the editor appeared in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, February 6, 2009:
Writer recommends merger of diocese
Since Bishop Joseph Martino came to oversee the Diocese of Scranton and the Catholic flock, I have been somewhat interested in the approach taken to solve some very difficult problems.
The issues facing the diocese include:
• Catholic churches with runaway budgets.
• Low attendance at Mass.
• Low church contributions.
• A decreasing population of young men interested in becoming priests.
In many of the above situations, Bishop Martino and his staff have proposed resolving the issue using a close or merge strategy. In many cases, merge has been a prelude to close. While it is clear to all but the most imperceptive observer that these are serious issues that cannot continue to be ignored, it is also very apparent that there must be other more ingenious ideas that could be considered prior to resorting to closing – which should be a last resort.
Unfortunately, ingenuity sometimes provided by the Catholic laity appears to be something the bishop and his staff cannot or will not consider. This is most evident during the deliberations conducted last year over the closing and merging of the four Luzerne County Catholic schools into a single campus in Wilkes-Barre. Ideas brought forward by members of the community for keeping at least two of the schools open were ignored.
As we enter the next phase of merge and close, it struck me that one particular merge and close idea has not yet been suggested. I am suggesting the merger of the Diocese of Scranton with either the Diocese of Allentown or the Diocese of Harrisburg, with the concomitant closure of Saint Peter’s Cathedral.
This particular idea has the added benefit of returning at least two priests currently holding the rank of bishop to the management of a parish. In addition, the elimination of a considerable number of redundant staff members would significantly reduce expenses and waste.
After all, do we really need to have a shepherd when there is no flock?
Ralph C. Gatrone
Kingston
Writer recommends merger of diocese
Since Bishop Joseph Martino came to oversee the Diocese of Scranton and the Catholic flock, I have been somewhat interested in the approach taken to solve some very difficult problems.
The issues facing the diocese include:
• Catholic churches with runaway budgets.
• Low attendance at Mass.
• Low church contributions.
• A decreasing population of young men interested in becoming priests.
In many of the above situations, Bishop Martino and his staff have proposed resolving the issue using a close or merge strategy. In many cases, merge has been a prelude to close. While it is clear to all but the most imperceptive observer that these are serious issues that cannot continue to be ignored, it is also very apparent that there must be other more ingenious ideas that could be considered prior to resorting to closing – which should be a last resort.
Unfortunately, ingenuity sometimes provided by the Catholic laity appears to be something the bishop and his staff cannot or will not consider. This is most evident during the deliberations conducted last year over the closing and merging of the four Luzerne County Catholic schools into a single campus in Wilkes-Barre. Ideas brought forward by members of the community for keeping at least two of the schools open were ignored.
As we enter the next phase of merge and close, it struck me that one particular merge and close idea has not yet been suggested. I am suggesting the merger of the Diocese of Scranton with either the Diocese of Allentown or the Diocese of Harrisburg, with the concomitant closure of Saint Peter’s Cathedral.
This particular idea has the added benefit of returning at least two priests currently holding the rank of bishop to the management of a parish. In addition, the elimination of a considerable number of redundant staff members would significantly reduce expenses and waste.
After all, do we really need to have a shepherd when there is no flock?
Ralph C. Gatrone
Kingston
posted by SDACT at
11:55 AM
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