Since the turn of the millennium most of the 22 Catholic dioceses of England and Wales have embarked on a programme of "reorganisation".In some dioceses this process, sometimes also known as "restructuring", is fairly low-key.
In others, it is dramatic and disruptive.
Reorganisation is, on the whole, more radical in the north of England than in the south and Wales. All dioceses are affected by a shortage in vocations - the most common reason given for restructuring. But the north, the former heartland of England Catholicism, has also seen a severe drop in the number of practising Catholics.
According to the Liverpool Echo, for example, the number of Catholics present at Sunday Mass in the city has declined by 13 per cent since the year 2000.
It's not surprising, therefore, that the most drastic restructuring is occurring in the Province of Liverpool, which encompasses the Archdiocese of Liverpool itself and the dioceses of Hallam, Hexham and Newcastle, Lancaster, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Salford. These dioceses are engaged in the most thoroughgoing and contentious reorganisation programmes in England.
Lancaster diocese, for instance, plans to reduce the number of parishes from 108 to 70 over the next 12 years.
The most controversial aspect of restructuring is undoubtedly church closures. Many northern dioceses (and some southern ones) are locked in bitter struggles with congregations of churches that have been earmarked for closure.
Diocesan officials frequently feel frustrated that parishioners are unwilling to adapt to the realities of a shrinking church. Parishioners, meanwhile, accuse officials of stubbornly refusing to consider options other than closing churches. Often the conflict between the two generates more heat than light.
It is worth asking if there are any general principles that might guide reorganisation in order to avoid costly breakdowns in relations between Church authorities and Massgoers.
Studying the effects of reorganisation
The process of restructuring is slightly more advanced in the United States than it is in England and Wales. In 2003 a nationwide survey of parish reorganisation there was carried out by the Conference for Pastoral Planning and Council Development.
The study found that a number of dioceses had rushed through restructuring programmes without adequate consultation of parishioners and training for parish leaders.
The survey discovered that parishes that were merged with their neighbours lost an estimated 40 per cent of worshippers. Parishes that were kept open under a "parish director" or "parish life coordinator" - a lay person or deacon who leads a parish in place of a priest - were likely to see an increase in attendance.
Reflecting on the experiences of parishes across America, the study suggested that dioceses should follow a seven-step process in reorganisation:
* Set goals
* Provide leadership
* Prepare
* Educate
* Collaborate and consult
* Move at a deliberate pace
* Prepare for emotional difficulty
Researchers also offered four recommendations to leaders involved in reorganisation:
* Plan carefully and well
* Establish effective two-way communication
* Practise leadership and develop it in others
* Ensure that the spiritual dimension of the process is not overlooked
As far as I know, there has been no similar study undertaken in England and Wales. This is a serious omission, given the profound impact of reorganisation. Perhaps the bishops could commission research into the effects of reorganisation and discuss the conclusions at their plenary meeting.
Considering options other than church closure
Some Catholics question the basic premise for church closures: the shortage of priestly vocations.
According Fr James Coriden, a professor at Washington Theological Union and author of The Parish in Catholic Tradition: History, Theology and Canon Law, "a shortage of priests for pastoral leadership is not an adequate reason to suppress or combine parishes".
He adds: "Canon law strongly recommends liturgies of the word and group prayer in the absence of priests, clearly implying that the life and worship of the community must continue even when priestly leadership is absent."
The American campaign group FutureChurch encourages dioceses to consider "creative solutions" to declining priestly vocations, such as entrusting several parishes to one priest, a team of priests or qualified lay people, deacons and religious. FutureChurch offers eight "best practices" for preserving vibrant parishes in time of fewer priests.
* Parishes that are financially viable, have active lay leadership and apostolic outreach should not be closed or merged solely because there is no priest available.
* Before closing or merging vital parishes in areas where no priests are available, bishops should use all the latitude canon law provides for empowering lay ecclesial ministers and/or deacons to administer and lead parishes.
* Parishioners and lay leaders should be informed about, consulted and involved in all decisions about the future of their parish.
* Abundant financial assets and / or the high commercial value of parish real estate should never be the decisive reasons for closing or merging a parish.
* Good stewardship of resources, non-duplication of services and collaborating with neighbouring communities are important values in discerning whether to close or merge a parish.
* Parish size and demographics should not be the only determinant for closing or merging. Ethnic diversity and outreach to marginalised groups should weigh equally to size.
* Bishops should encourage awareness of all kinds of vocations.
* Dioceses should subsidise theological and pastoral education for lay ministers at the same level as diaconate education.
FutureChurch offers a host of resources for parishioners contesting church closures on the grounds of insufficient priests. But even so, it recognises that there may be good reasons for suppressing parishes.
They include:
* Regularly decreasing numbers of parishioners with few newcomers despite focused attempts at evangelisation and outreach.
* Little to no catechesis, apostolic outreach or social justice mission.
* Intractable parish indebtedness.
* A preoccupation with financial survival that impedes most ministerial outreach.
* The parish consuming future resources trying to maintain facilities that are too big or no longer useful for its life and work.
* The availability of nearby solvent, vital parishes that share similar values and apostolic goals.
The view in Rome
When talks with the diocese break down parishioners are often determined to "get Rome involved". But what does Rome really think about reorganisation?
The Vatican is not a monolithic institution so it does not have a unified view of restructuring. But its position could be characterised broadly as one of reluctant acceptance. But Rome is concerned that reorganisation is carried out with due respect for the rights of parishes enshrined in canon law and with an accent on spiritual renewal.
Pope Benedict XVI himself made this clear in a May 2006 address to Canadian bishops on an ad limina visit to Rome. He told the bishops that "the delicate task" of reorganisation "can never be done appropriately with simply social models of restructuring" because "without Christ we can do nothing".
"Parishes are considered above all as houses and schools of communion," he said. "Therefore the reorganisation of parishes is essentially an exercise in renewal."
The Pope added that those conducting reorganisation must ensure that Massgoers are given an "authentic pedagogy of prayer, introduction to the lives of the saints and the multiple forms of spirituality that embellish and stimulate the life of the Church, through regular participation in the sacrament of reconciliation, and through a convincing catechesis on Sunday as the 'day of faith'."
He said he hoped that as the Catholic identity of parishioners was strengthened they would discover a "passion for evangelisation" and draw others into the parish community.
In some dioceses in England and Wales reorganisation programmes have a strong emphasis on spiritual renewal. But in others the spiritual dimension is all but eclipsed by the harsh exchanges between parishioners and diocesan officials.
Sooner or later every parishioner in England and Wales will be affected by restructuring.
It is vital that we learn from the mistakes and successes of the recent past in order that reorganisation strengthens the communion of the Church rather than tearing it apart. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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