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Christ Jesus encouraged His Apostles to “Be Not Afraid” of the many challenges, difficulties and even persecution that they would face as a consequence of their faith in Him. Interestingly, Our Savior did not say to His Apostles that there is no cause for fear. Rather, he sought to remind them they would not face adversity alone.

Christ Jesus encouraged His Apostles to “Be Not Afraid” of the many challenges, difficulties and even persecution that they would face as a consequence of their faith in Him. Interestingly, Our Savior did not say to His Apostles that there is no cause for fear. Rather, he sought to remind them they would not face adversity alone.

We in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens are all grappling with shifting demographics, deteriorating buildings and diminished resources. In some sense, these challenges are a cause of anxiety for pastors and parishioners.

Nevertheless, we must remember that the Good News of evangelization proclaims that Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins so He could raise us up to eternal life. No one who encounters this Good News can escape making a personal response to it. God wants you and all people to know His unconditional love for you. He desires you and wants you to turn your heart over to His Son, Jesus, as the center of your life. All God asks from you and me is to accept being loved by Him, in all our unworthiness. This is the Good News that can bring renewal to every human heart and the renewal of our Diocesan Church.

If we seek such a renewal of the Church in Brooklyn and Queens, then we must be willing to seek every person willing to listen to our message of hope in Jesus. It demands that we identify and awaken the personal gifts, talents and assets of every baptized member of our Diocese, asking everyone to offer who and what they have so that the Church can grow in its knowledge and love of the Lord and in charity and justice among its members.

Finally and most importantly, if we seek the renewal of our Church in Brooklyn and Queens, we need to pray, and pray like we have never prayed before, asking God our Father for the renewal of the mission of the New Evangelization in our midst.

Latest News

Bishop Caggiano on the future of the Diocese

Monsignor Scharfenberger on the strategic planning process

Part 1 – Parishes Adjust to Lean Times, Diocesan Cutbacks

Part II – Diocesan Agencies Rise to Overcome Economic Recession

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Top Questions

Why does the Church need to restructure?

Restructuring at this time is due to a series of factors that have been affecting the ability of the church to live out her mission most effectively.  These factors include demographic shifts, small and large, from the migration of many Catholics away from the Northeast to changes in ethnic groups within certain neighborhoods. As neighborhoods change, the church must adapt.

The deterioration and delayed maintenance of many of our churches is also a factor that must be taken into consideration.  The decline in the number of priests available to serve the parishes must also be considered.  Finally, the financial distress in parishes compounded by the recent economic recession is also a factor.

Is this just a plan to close parishes?

Not at all. Christ Jesus, Our Hope is a major diocesan initiative that continues to serve as the framework for an evolving “pastoral plan” for the Diocese of Brooklyn. 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: changing demographics, diminishing finances, and a decrease in the number of priests have affected the reality of the Catholic Church. The process will result in some parish closings, but ultimately will result in a stronger more vibrant Church.

How Many Parishes are being closed?

There is no list and no exact number, however, it is understood that some parishes will have to close. The migration patterns of Catholics throughout the two counties of the Diocese have left some areas under-served by the Church, while other areas which were previously, densely, populated by Catholics have changed.

The purpose of Christ Jesus, Our Hope is to reflect prayerfully and evaluate the vitality of the Church in each area and to plan ways to sustain and strengthen the presence and pastoral care of the Church throughout the Diocese.

Where are parishes located that will close?

The exact locations of any closing is unknown, but each area of the Diocese will be affected by the consolidation of resources.

At the same time, it is important that the Church be present in each area of the Diocese and that no area go without a Catholic presence.