My unpopular opinion on this is that most people (particularly laypeople) ought to be left out of the decision to merge/close parishes and dioceses.
Most laity are less than worthless to have in these discussions. They typically have little clue about the sustainability of their parishes (sacramentally and/or financially), have the greate…
My unpopular opinion on this is that most people (particularly laypeople) ought to be left out of the decision to merge/close parishes and dioceses.
Most laity are less than worthless to have in these discussions. They typically have little clue about the sustainability of their parishes (sacramentally and/or financially), have the greatest amount of sentimental attachment, and are thus generally delusional in their expectations. The people who are most vocal and up-in-arms about closing a parish are typically the ones who have no idea just how dire and unsustainable their parish’s situation is. They’ll stand in front of bulldozers, protest the bishop’s office, and write to Rome, but never bothered to give $10+/week in the collection for the past 15 years. They’ll draft dream proposals of how they can miraculously “raise funds to save the parish” but never significantly gave or volunteered for years while the parish annually runs in the red.
This is 95% of parishioners on a parish roll, and they’re better off not being involved in bogging down discussions. I can only imagine this even more true at the diocesan level.
My unpopular opinion on this is that most people (particularly laypeople) ought to be left out of the decision to merge/close parishes and dioceses.
Most laity are less than worthless to have in these discussions. They typically have little clue about the sustainability of their parishes (sacramentally and/or financially), have the greatest amount of sentimental attachment, and are thus generally delusional in their expectations. The people who are most vocal and up-in-arms about closing a parish are typically the ones who have no idea just how dire and unsustainable their parish’s situation is. They’ll stand in front of bulldozers, protest the bishop’s office, and write to Rome, but never bothered to give $10+/week in the collection for the past 15 years. They’ll draft dream proposals of how they can miraculously “raise funds to save the parish” but never significantly gave or volunteered for years while the parish annually runs in the red.
This is 95% of parishioners on a parish roll, and they’re better off not being involved in bogging down discussions. I can only imagine this even more true at the diocesan level.
That’s a bit patronising. The People of God are wiser and more shrewd than you assume.