I very much question the theory that small dioceses are less sustainable than middle size or larger ones. Last November, The Pillar published an article that described a survey of the sizes of dioceses in the United States and the number of seminarians per capita. It indicated that there is a substantial inverse relationship between the …
I very much question the theory that small dioceses are less sustainable than middle size or larger ones. Last November, The Pillar published an article that described a survey of the sizes of dioceses in the United States and the number of seminarians per capita. It indicated that there is a substantial inverse relationship between the size of a diocese and the number of seminarians per capita. That result is not surprising. For in smaller diocese the bishop can, if he chooses, more easily be a father figure. By contrast, in larger dioceses the bishop is more remote, and the chancery tends to be seen as the central administration of a nonprofit organization, rather than an inspiring example. As a result, I think that the solution to whatever issues there are in the Stubenbville Diocese should be solved more by a dynamic, personable and trusted bishop than by merging it into another diocese, especially given the fact that most of the clergy and laity seem to oppose such a merger.
A canon lawyer will now create a case for the pre-ordained (Cardinal Pierre and Bishop Fernandes, others need not assess or provide facts) merger solution. Clericalism again triumphs over synodality. Thank you dear Bishop Bradley for pushing a rope for your first nine months of retirement.
I very much question the theory that small dioceses are less sustainable than middle size or larger ones. Last November, The Pillar published an article that described a survey of the sizes of dioceses in the United States and the number of seminarians per capita. It indicated that there is a substantial inverse relationship between the size of a diocese and the number of seminarians per capita. That result is not surprising. For in smaller diocese the bishop can, if he chooses, more easily be a father figure. By contrast, in larger dioceses the bishop is more remote, and the chancery tends to be seen as the central administration of a nonprofit organization, rather than an inspiring example. As a result, I think that the solution to whatever issues there are in the Stubenbville Diocese should be solved more by a dynamic, personable and trusted bishop than by merging it into another diocese, especially given the fact that most of the clergy and laity seem to oppose such a merger.
A canon lawyer will now create a case for the pre-ordained (Cardinal Pierre and Bishop Fernandes, others need not assess or provide facts) merger solution. Clericalism again triumphs over synodality. Thank you dear Bishop Bradley for pushing a rope for your first nine months of retirement.