Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of Camden, will announce his decisions regarding the reconfiguration of parishes in the six southern counties of
The diocese is undertaking the initiative to strengthen and revitalize parish life in response to changing demographics and shifts in the Catholic population, a decline in Mass attendance and the number of priests available for ministry, and the need to advance key pastoral priorities identified by the Catholic people at more than 140 “Speak Up” sessions that were held in 2005 and 2006 with Bishop Galante. These priorities include lifelong faith formation, vocations to priesthood and religious life, lay ministry, compassionate outreach, liturgy, and youth and young adults.
The decisions follow an extensive consultation over a 15 month period with representatives from each of the diocese’s 124 parishes. More than 400 parish planners reviewed parish data, sacramental trends, facilities, financial reports and new models of parish configuration, including merging parishes or clustering multiple parishes under the care of a pastor.
At a press briefing in January 2007 discussing the planning initiative, Bishop Galante said, “This will mean…a changed