A recent article in the Buffalo News told the story of Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Buffalo whose parishioners are appealing the closing of their parishes. One of these parishes happens to be St. Rose of Lima in Forestville. Following extensive preparation these parishes appealed directly to the Vatican and recently received letters stating that their appeal will be considered by the Dicastery of the Clergy.

The Dicastery of the Clergy is an office of the Holy See that among other duties studies problems resulting from the shortage of priests that could deprive Catholics from the possibility of participating in the Eucharist and weakens the sacramental structure of the Church. It therefore encourages Bishops and Episcopal Conferences to provide for a more adequate distribution of clergy. Those parishes in the Diocese whose appeals are being considered will remain open at least until a decision has been reached in each case.

The situation for St. Rose of Lima parish is somewhat different from the other parishes in that it has been closed since January but it and the other parishes filing appeals are indicative of changing attitudes among Catholics in the Diocese of Buffalo. The number of parish groups filing appeals to a closing or merger with another parish is greater this time than in previous large-scale restructuring efforts. In the past the response more likely would have been “well if that is what the bishop wants, that is what has to be.”

Since then, the truth about the extent of clergy abuse of children and the misguided actions of previous bishops that actually enabled abuses have come to light. It seems that many Catholic laity now see that Bishops are sometimes men with feet of clay who can make bad decisions and at times may fail to be guided by the Holy Spirit when it comes to doing what is best for the Catholic Church and its people.

Then there are the settlements with abuse victims that we are told will likely exceed $100 million giving rise to the suspicion among some that often vibrant growing parishes are being closed because of their value on the real estate market. One member of a group filing an appeal for a still vibrant parish with newer facilities said that certainly the victims of abuse “deserve some sort of recourse of their own for what they endured but we’re saying it can’t be done on the backs of people losing their spiritual home.” Many feel that in some cases the value of parish real estate and other assets figured more importantly in the Bishop’s decision then they should have.

Bishop Fisher has said that the restructuring is taking place because the diocese has fewer practicing Catholics trying to support too many parishes with fewer priests to serve them all. However, the Bishop should remember that under canon law a priest shortage is not a valid reason to close or merge a parish. Further Canon 1222.2 states essentially that if a church must be closed the bishop must consult the council of priests, have the consent of those who could lawfully claim rights over the church and” be sure that the good of souls would not be harmed by the transfer.”

Bishop Fisher also spoke about there being fewer practicing Catholics in the Diocese and that is true but part of the reason for that is that in previous restructurings when parishes were closed in less populated areas it became necessary, unlike the situation in the City of Buffalo and suburbs, to drive many miles to attend Mass. So many either stayed home or began attending a non-Catholic church located nearby. Also, the sexual abuse scandal turned many away.

In recent years bishops in Cleveland, Milwaukee, Albany, Seattle, Baltimore and Los Angeles have worked to preserve viable parish communities rather than closing or merging them by entrusting pastoral care in several parishes to a single priest or a team of priests supporting fulltime lay ecclesial ministers, deacons or religious in parishes.

In my experience in the Diocese of Buffalo, one of the most underutilized resources are lay ministers. Clergy tend to be dismissive and even disparaging of lay ministers, even those who have made the effort to obtain a seminary degree. I’m not sure why this is the case especially because of the life experience laity bring to ministry.

Some years ago, the Diocese of Buffalo announced plans to establish a lay ministry development program and while I and many others expressed an interest it appears to have died at birth. At a time when there are fewer and less experienced priests in active ministry in addition to shrinking orders of religious sisters, emphasis should now be placed on lay ministry development.

Finally, because the Catholic Church is ordaining only 350 priests a year in the U.S. this is certainly not the last “restructuring” that Catholics in the Diocese of Buffalo can expect to endure in the coming years. The Church’s problem will not be solved until it recognizes all the priestly and ministry vocations whether married, celibate, male and female, and lay that God is pouring on the Catholic Church.

A joyous Easter to all.

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com.