Bishop details keys to future

January 7, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

boardman

Bishop George V. Murry outlined his “Vision of the Youngstown Diocese” during a presentation Thursday for about 225 people attending a program of the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown at Antone’s Banquet Center, 8578 Market St.

The bishop said the two-year Parish Implementation Plan, announced in February 2010 and begun in May 2010, is nearing its conclusion. The plan consolidates 112 parishes to 87 with some churches closing and others merging.

The downsizing responded to five situations in the diocese — the number of priests, priests reaching retirement age, population shift from Northeast Ohio, increasing costs of maintaining old buildings and the need for a plan for growth. “Attitudes and resources will shape the future,” the bishop said.

He focused his talk on five major points, which he sees as key to diocesan life and “building a strong future.”

Unity among priests. Bishop Murry said some priests view themselves as Vatican II priests, who advanced renewal of the Church, and others, John Paul II priests, who followed his theology. “There’s a difference in styles. I see us all as priests of Jesus Christ,” he said. Priests and laity need to “grow together.”

Strong Catholic schools. Religious education is doing well, the bishop said, and “there is a great value in Catholic education” because of its attention to religious values and academic excellence.” In spite of those qualities, the number of students in Catholic schools is decreasing and schools are closing. The bishop said a regional school system is being implemented in Mahoning and Stark counties of the diocese. “Financing will be a diocesan effort,” he said.

Modern financial techniques. “A moral resolve,” the bishop said, will guide the use, management and investment of funds given by parishes. The diocese faces a $6 million debt from some schools and parishes in financial diress. “They have an opportunity to pay without interest and lower the amount if paid in a timely fashion,” Bishop Murry said. “It can’t continue without compromising the overall health of the diocese.”

Vocations. “There’s a need for priests,” he said. The average age of the 100 active priests in the diocese is 68, he said, adding that 35 will reach retirement age of 70 in 2013. Most priests were mentored and “challenged to consider the priesthood,” he said. Bishop Murry said the vocations office is taking a pro-active approach by asking parishes to pray for vocations, sponsoring retreats for high school and college students to explore a calling and gatherings led by a team of priests and women religious to promote vocations.

Evangelization. “This might be the most challenging for clergy and laity,” Bishop Murry said, noting the concept “sounds foreign to Catholics.” “We must adopt a missionary spirit ... the church exists to evangelize,” he said, adding words, actions and attitude of the faithful draw people to Christ. The bishop said to grow and flourish, the church must “embrace the calling of evangelizing” because it will “motivate, invigorate and energize people of faith.”

The bishop said evangelization involves outreach to the poor ... “not because they are Catholic but because we are Catholic.”

Bishop Murry said learning about the Catholic faith is part of evangelizing, and the goal is to “live the faith.” He noted that John Paul II said saints come from all walks of life. The bishop said that idea prompts him to think of the book, “Saints Behaving Badly.” Thomas J. Craughwell wrote about sinners to saints.

The bishop concluded with questions from the audience. On Catholic education, he said, studies show youths are influenced by their parents. “Parents have to be involved in children’s religious education.”