I'm in South Carolina and churches are packed. The Charleston diocese, which covers the entire state, is looking at creating new parishes. Much of the growth in population in general, and Catholics in particular, is due to retirees moving from northern states and "refugees" from those states seeking lower taxes and a conservative political climate. We also have several parishes offering the TLM and our Bishop has not done anything to restrict them and those churches are full of young people and families
A heavy sadness bears down at the thought of churches closing here across Ireland. And not even just the very beautiful ones. One fears many Irish people will not realise what they had under their noses until they go on to become concert venues, restaurants, or mosques.
I heard all this through the grapevine several years ago, so take my details with a grain of salt, but I remember friends from a different diocese telling me how their local FSSP wanted to take over a beautiful old diocesan church but were denied. The church was ultimately sold to Protestants. The SSPX in that same diocese currently owns a former parish building, purportedly because the diocese didn't know who they were selling to (I think a third party layman facilitated the deal).
Years later, the FSSP in that diocese is still made to share church space with a local parish, and I doubt the SSPX would have their space if not for the bishop's ignorance. Some dioceses would rather sell their churches to strangers or Protestants than knowingly give them to traditionalists.
Your comment about giving these buildings to traditionalist groups is spot on. But I fear it's not going to happen as large metropolitan bishops hew to the winds of the times coming from Rome rather than what's happening in their own back yard. E.G. Charlotte.
Jewels being left vacant while stripped boxes become new "centralized" parishes.
Part of the blame lies with so-called snow-birds. They winter in the south and leave behind struggling Parishes in the north. We just lost several Mass times because as winter settles in the snow-birds fly south and Mass sizes noticeably shrink. Of course, this also impacts tithes at the very time expenses soar—think lots of fuel oil.
lay people could buy these churches and arrange for the SSPX to come say masses and/or start a priory in your location and a school. The SSPX priest are formed so well and they are steeped in tradition.
Yes, I agree, and this has been done in a number of places. It's tricky, though; first, people don't usually have millions of dollars at hand; and second, the moment the diocese gets a whiff that this church will be put to a good sacred use, they will block the sale. So the lay bargainers have to find a way to present their goals without lying. For example, they can say that they would like to turn it into a cultural center and library. Now, when it's turned into an SSPX chapel, it will of course BE a cultural center in the best sense, and they can have a room of books for laity to borrow and read. So the truth was told, just not the WHOLE truth!
I listened to an Irish YouTube commentator, by the name of Decrevi Determined to be Catholic, some time back on the trajectory of Irish parishes and its absolutely frightening. The Novus Ordo Church project in its mission to be relevant, has emptied the pews of all but a handful of Catholics. Completely unsustainable.
I'm in South Carolina and churches are packed. The Charleston diocese, which covers the entire state, is looking at creating new parishes. Much of the growth in population in general, and Catholics in particular, is due to retirees moving from northern states and "refugees" from those states seeking lower taxes and a conservative political climate. We also have several parishes offering the TLM and our Bishop has not done anything to restrict them and those churches are full of young people and families
A heavy sadness bears down at the thought of churches closing here across Ireland. And not even just the very beautiful ones. One fears many Irish people will not realise what they had under their noses until they go on to become concert venues, restaurants, or mosques.
Excellent piece John.
Thank you, my friend. I hope you are keeping well.
I heard all this through the grapevine several years ago, so take my details with a grain of salt, but I remember friends from a different diocese telling me how their local FSSP wanted to take over a beautiful old diocesan church but were denied. The church was ultimately sold to Protestants. The SSPX in that same diocese currently owns a former parish building, purportedly because the diocese didn't know who they were selling to (I think a third party layman facilitated the deal).
Years later, the FSSP in that diocese is still made to share church space with a local parish, and I doubt the SSPX would have their space if not for the bishop's ignorance. Some dioceses would rather sell their churches to strangers or Protestants than knowingly give them to traditionalists.
Exactly. Which goes to show the depth of their vileness.
Your comment about giving these buildings to traditionalist groups is spot on. But I fear it's not going to happen as large metropolitan bishops hew to the winds of the times coming from Rome rather than what's happening in their own back yard. E.G. Charlotte.
Jewels being left vacant while stripped boxes become new "centralized" parishes.
Alas, 'tis true - and one more charge that will be brought against them on the fearful day of judgment.
Part of the blame lies with so-called snow-birds. They winter in the south and leave behind struggling Parishes in the north. We just lost several Mass times because as winter settles in the snow-birds fly south and Mass sizes noticeably shrink. Of course, this also impacts tithes at the very time expenses soar—think lots of fuel oil.
lay people could buy these churches and arrange for the SSPX to come say masses and/or start a priory in your location and a school. The SSPX priest are formed so well and they are steeped in tradition.
Yes, I agree, and this has been done in a number of places. It's tricky, though; first, people don't usually have millions of dollars at hand; and second, the moment the diocese gets a whiff that this church will be put to a good sacred use, they will block the sale. So the lay bargainers have to find a way to present their goals without lying. For example, they can say that they would like to turn it into a cultural center and library. Now, when it's turned into an SSPX chapel, it will of course BE a cultural center in the best sense, and they can have a room of books for laity to borrow and read. So the truth was told, just not the WHOLE truth!
I listened to an Irish YouTube commentator, by the name of Decrevi Determined to be Catholic, some time back on the trajectory of Irish parishes and its absolutely frightening. The Novus Ordo Church project in its mission to be relevant, has emptied the pews of all but a handful of Catholics. Completely unsustainable.
Indeed. And I'm afraid Poland is on the same trajectory, albeit slower.
lovely article!
Thank you, Saidy.