Priestless Parishes Ahead in LA

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HagiaSophia

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“At this time we are being called to discern new modes of parish leadership and a more participatory exercise of ministry in which lay, Religious and ordained together seek to build up the Body of Christ…a Task Force has been hard at work to assure that our parishes are provided with good leadership by competent laypersons and Religious who have the charism to serve as Parish Life Directors, that is, those who are responsible for the welfare of the parish in the absence of a resident priest pastor”

“…Some few parishes in the Archdiocese are already being led by competent laypersons. However, beginning on July 1, 2006, this number will likely increase considerably. I am fully supportive of the efforts of the Task Force as they begin to identify those parishes that will soon be served through the able ministry of a Parish Life Director. Furthermore, I am committed to the implementation of this form of parish leadership, which is not a stopgap measure or temporary solution to the diminishing number of priestly and Religious vocations…”

"…Two important remarks are in order here. First, a parish served by a Parish Life Director may at a later time be served once again by a resident priest pastor. Second, a parish led by a Parish Life Director is not proposed as the model for ministry now or in the future, but is one response to meet the pastoral needs of our Local Church at this time, a valid and valuable expression of Church leadership for which there is provision in Canon Law.

“The Task Force will soon be identifying those who are endowed with this charism as well as the qualifications needed for the exercise of this ministry…”

the-tidings.com/2005/0930/asoneside.htm
 
If there are “a growing number of Catholics.” then there will also be a growing number of vocations (especially if we all pray for them!) so then if this is implimented then it should indeed be a temporary stopgap measure.
Pax vobiscum,
 
What are the Vatican’s guidelines regarding such “priestless parishes”?

Many dioceses are implementing or considering them.

Are they allowed? What good are they without the sacrifice of the Mass and Confession? Shouldn’t we be putting our energies into generating more priestly vocations? Which dioceses are generating the most priestly vocations and what are they doing to get it right?

If anyone has answers to any or all of these questions, I would be very appreciative. Thanks.
 
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Brad:
What are the Vatican’s guidelines regarding such “priestless parishes”?

Many dioceses are implementing or considering them.

Are they allowed? What good are they without the sacrifice of the Mass and Confession? Shouldn’t we be putting our energies into generating more priestly vocations? Which dioceses are generating the most priestly vocations and what are they doing to get it right?

If anyone has answers to any or all of these questions, I would be very appreciative. Thanks.
*The dozen dioceses with the highest ratio of seminarians to Catholics, according to statistics published in the 2004 edition of The Official Catholic Directory, are Lincoln, Nebraska; Yakima Washington; Savannah, Georgia; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Rapid City, South Dakota; Wichita, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Alexandria, Louis-iana; Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida; Steubenville, Ohio; Spokane, Washington; and Bismarck, North Dakota.
*(reference)
 
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