Diocesan Data

by Fr. Steven Lewis, Parochial Vicar

            Another topic covered at the joint meetings of our pastoral councils this fall included data about our community. Here is some of the information gathered for that discussion.

There are 86 parishes in the diocese, and 15 priests still in active ministry over the age of 75 (and they don’t have to be). We have been assured by Bishop Matano and the director of the priest personnel board at the diocese that the plan is to keep two priests assigned to our community. The loss of an assigned priest would likely affect our community in more significant ways than our merging into one parish. Thankfully, it is not something we anticipate at this time.

            Since our fall meetings, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York has been appointed to follow Bishop Matano. Bishop designate Bonnici may see things differently. It is too soon to tell. He will be installed and begin his leadership of the diocese on March 19.

            About 20% of people in the 12 counties that make up the diocese are Catholic. In the last decade or so, the Catholic population of the diocese has declined by 60,000. The overall population has declined by about 100,000.