Director praises pace of diocese reconfiguration
YOUNGSTOWN — There’s a history of working together through times of change in the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.
“This isn’t a new concept,” the Rev. Nicholas Shori said of the collaborating, merging and downsizing that is occurring in the diocese now.
Father Shori is the director of the ongoing Parish Implementation Plan.
He pointed out that the collaboration of Our Lady of Victory Church in Andover and St. Patrick Church in Kinsman dates from 1962, and the collaboration of St. Mary Church in Orwell and Sacred Heart Church in Rock Creek since 1998. Both situations work with a pastor, two parishes and two worship sites.
“Walking Together” was a collaboration of churches suggested by Bishop James W. Malone, who led the diocese from 1968 to ’95. “That process would have paralleled what is happening in the diocese today,” Father Shori said.
What makes the current process unique is the number of churches, parishioners and priests involved and that some churches will be closed. This process was preceded by the development of a pastoral plan and self-evaluation of each parish.
After all the information was assembled and turned into a plan, deanery meetings took place and a tentative plan was announced in February 2010. Bishop George V. Murry announced the diocese reconfiguration plan May 28, 2010. The two-year plan consolidates parishes from 112 to 87.
So where is the diocese today?
“We’re way ahead in the process,” Father Shori said.
For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com