In a clear sign of the decline the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is shrinking. They plan to close churches and combine parishes.
In his somber homily, the Rev. Mark Juettner read from the archdiocese's statement about the plan, under which 21 parishes, including St. Andrew, will close their buildings and be merged into 14 receiving parishes. "There is no easy way to share this news with you," he told more than 100 worshipers in the vaulted sanctuary.
The paper sites a priest shortage, tighter budgets, and shifting demographics as the reasons for the decline. They left out the devastating impact of clergy sexual abuse and the need to pay for the jury awards and settlements. I wonder why?
Technorati Tags: Catholics,Clergy Sexual Abuse
