St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA / Google Maps
CV NEWS FEED // The Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, has announced that it is consolidating three more parishes, just months after the Diocese merged six parishes to form three new communities.
Bishop Joseph C. Bambera wrote in early June to parishioners of Saint Ann, Saint Boniface, and Saint Lawrence that “working together” helps the Church in the Diocese of Scranton become more “mission-driven.”
“[W]e must all work together in a way that we best live out our baptismal calling in a world—and local environment—that continues to change,” he wrote:
Our church faces significant challenges, among which are a fewer number of parishioners, financial sustainability questions, facility infrastructure news and a diminished number of ordained priests.
In late 2023, the Diocese consolidated six parishes in South and West Scranton into three new communities under the guidance of three pastors.
Bishop Bambera said he consulted with several priests as well as parish administrators and council members and decided that further consolidation is the best way forward.
“As we look toward the future, I am proposing a two-phase plan to create a hope-filled future with more opportunities for enhanced ministry and outreach in the Williamsport area,” he added.
According to his letter, the first phase of the plan involves increasing the bond between Saint Boniface and Saint Lawrence parishes, which have already been working together with the same pastor, staff, bulletin, website, religious education program, parish council, and more. However, they each have their own finance council, which Bishop Bambera said is often “redundant.”
“By entering into a consolidation later this year, Saint Boniface and Saint Lawrence will be poised to combine the resources of their two parishes and actively create a new entity for the betterment of all parishioners,” he wrote.
The second phase of the consolidation plan includes building an intentional, closer relationship between Saint Ann and Saint Boniface & Saint Lawrence, to establish “a new linkage” by July 1, 2025. According to the letter, slowly consolidating parishes in this way will free up priests sorely needed elsewhere by the diocese.
“It is critical to stress that neither a linkage, nor a consolidation, means the immediate closure of any church building,” Bishop Bambera wrote, “but discussions may lead to that at some point in the future after serious study and prayer centered around the reality of finances, Mass attendance, community demographics and infrastructure needs.”
He continued:
At this point, what is most important is that all parishioners (of all three parishes) have the opportunity to voice their thoughts, dreams and hopes for the future with your parish leadership teams.
