Vatican II's "spirit" which means a loss of Catholic identity as one forms a new and improved Church that is most welcoming has almost reached its zenith in Europe. The only problem is that the few in their 70's and older generation who still attend Mass haven't died off so there is a need to keep some parishes opened for them. But make no mistake, those in their late 70's, 80's and approach 90 are going to die within the next 10 to 20 years.
Yes, Vatican II was a success in Europe and the current1970's revival happening today will increase that success.
This would be funny if not so tragically sad and the same mentality trying to get different results today! Lord have mercy! Please!
You can read a dismal article about parish closures in Europe HERE!
The Diocese of Trier in Germany will reduce its number of parishes from 172 to 35 by the year 2020
The details provided by the CNS of some of the other diocesan reorganizations planned or currently underway in Europe makes for sobering reading:
– Berlin: 105 parishes to be reduced to 35 “pastoral spaces”, with unused churches to be sold off and 40% of clergy and lay staffers reassigned, thereby alleviating some of the Diocese’s $140 million debt
– Vienna: 660 parishes to be merged into 150 hubs served by a handful of priests
– Luxembourg: 274 parishes reduced to 33
– Clogher, Ireland: 37 parishes cut to 14 “pastoral areas” coordinated by teams of just two priests and six laypeople
– Utrecht: 326 parishes to just 48 hubs in which only one church will serve as a “eucharistic center”
8 comments:
Another Vatican Disaster II "success" story. Einstein had it right. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results!
Ok, Anonymous show me statistics types, here are plenty demonstrating the collapse of the church across a continent. But, of course, silly me, let's all move along, nothing to see here.
ByzRC,
Kavanaugh will just says its a statistical blip!! That the Church is in the best of hands
TJM,
With all due respect to Fr. Kavanaugh, at some point, there is going to have to be acknowledgement that a systemic problem has been created, it has permeated all levels of the clergy and, it has resulted in apathy and resentment in a significant percentage of the laity.
ByzRC,
I do not have the confidence in the hierarchy that you have. The Church has been faced with growing losses since Vatican Disaster II but they have not changed course in a meaningful way.They cannot admit they were wrong. Being liberal means never having to say you're sorry (with apologies to Love Story)
TJM -
I'm with you. In the Roman Church, my confidence level is fairly low as well. These guys are in their own world. They will do whatever is necessary to create pseudo-vibrancy propaganda.
I remember how at the beginning of the Roman Catholic traditionalist movement in the 1970s, the traditionalists offered Mass in "Mass Centers" since they were forbidden to worship in canonically erected parishes. Many mainstream Catholics considered this kind of pitiful. It is interesting that the mainstream Roman Catholics are now being reduced to the same status. Maybe the traditionalists will get some additional parishes in this new situation!
Adam Michael,
Excellent observations! I notice that the Institute of Christ the King has taken over Churches where the Novus Ordo bombed out. Hopefully this trend will continue
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