Respecting Parish Integrity in a Time of Fewer Priests

Should vibrant, solvent parishes with effective apostolic outreach be closed or merged solely because no priest is available to live on the premises? Do parish communities have theological integrity, inherent authority and rights and responsibilities to be exercised in communion with the universal church? What can pastors, parish council leaders, lay ministers, and ordinary parishioners do to claim and vindicate these rights?

Peter Borre, spokesperson for Boston’s Council of Parishes shares the lived experience of 15 vibrant but threatened parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston.

This presentation was given on November 4, 2006 at the national Call To Action conference.