New Orleans restructuring aims for 'smaller but stronger' church

Published: 2008-04-14

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans said the biggest challenge he faced in deciding on the second phase of a major restructuring plan for parishes, schools and ministries in the archdiocese was the prospect of adding another burden to Catholics already laboring to recover from Hurricane Katrina. "The losses in the Katrina and post-Katrina experience have been a very difficult cross for people to carry, and the last thing in the world I want to do is to complicate that for people," the archbishop said. "I know how much people look to the Lord, to his church and to their local churches for strength and comfort," he said. The plan that will take effect July 1 provides a facilitation process lasting up to six months to allow parishioners to discuss the impact of mergers and closures. Although it affects dozens of parishes, the plan results in a small overall decrease in the number of Sunday worship sites. Currently there are 117 parishes and five missions operating in the archdiocese -- a total of 122 Sunday worship sites. After the plan takes effect, there will be 108 parishes, nine missions and two university campus ministry sites, a total of 119 sites for Sunday Mass.

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