Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the VIBRANT PARISH LIFE - PHASE II Initiative

Not at all, Vibrant Parish Life is a major diocesan initiative that continues to serve as the framework for an evolving "pastoral plan" for the Diocese of Cleveland. It is grounded in the hope that "we will do all that is possible to sustain and enhance the vibrant parish life to which Jesus calls us. Three key realities: starkly changing demographics and migration patterns in Northeast Ohio, changing finances and a decrease in the number of priests have affected the operations of the Catholic Church. Clustering and collaboration of parishes will result in some parish closings, but ultimately will result in a stronger more vibrant Church.

There is no list and no exact number, however, one-third of the 69 clusters of parishes have been directed to consider the closing of some facilities. The migration patterns of Catholics throughout the eight counties of northeast Ohio have left some expanding areas under-served by the Church, while areas which were previously, densely, populated by Catholics are no longer vibrant. The purpose of cluster pastoral planning and coordination is to reflect prayerfully and evaluate the vitality of the Church in each cluster area and to plan ways to sustain and strengthen the presence and pastoral care of the Church throughout the Diocese.

The clusters which have been asked to reduce in size are scattered throughout the Diocese. As is the case throughout Northeast Ohio, many of the older cities have experienced population loss and the out-migration of residents; the Church has witnessed similar circumstances and in some cases, this change has also affected the inner-ring suburbs.

The finances of the Diocese and most of our parishes are not in a crisis state today, but there are indicators of immediate or pending crises for some of our entities. All parishes have been asked to proceed with a sense of urgency to carefully evaluate their financial statuses and futures to avoid any crises. The drop in Mass attendance in the past 35 years or 278,000 fewer weekly attendees has had an impact on revenues. Meanwhile expenses keep increasing, including costs for wages, benefits, utilities, other operating costs, and the maintenance costs for our churches, schools and other buildings.

The number of available priests to serve the churches of the diocese is declining, however, it should be noted that except for very few examples, vocations to ministry in all religious denominations have been on the decline. As churches face this challenge, the Diocese of Cleveland expects that the clustering and collaboration process will allow for a more equitable distribution of our priests throughout the eight counties. The inequity of our personnel deployment is unmistakable. In one case, a large suburban parish with 4000 families has three priests serving the faithful, while at the same time there are three parishes in another section of the diocese which all together serve 300 families, served by three priests.