September 12, 2012

Dear Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Religious, and Laity of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria:

With trust in the providence of God, with the input of the parish clusters and with the good advice of both the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Consultors, today I would like to announce my enthusiastic endorsement of the Growing in Faith Together recommendations for our parishes and missions.

The GIFT consultations with the clergy and laity have been the most extensive in the history of our Diocese. I have basically made my decisions on that basis. While the Catholic Church in Central Illinois is alive and well and is not suffering from a shortage of priests or seminarians, there have been dramatic changes in the demographics of both our rural and urban parish communities. It is therefore necessary for the sake of the Gospel and for the spiritual vitality of the Diocese that there be significant pastoral reorganization.

Some parishes will be linked. While continuing to function as autonomous parishes, they will share the same pastor.

Other parishes will be merged. While the process of bringing together smaller parishes is intended to enhance pastoral care, it does not necessarily mean closing church buildings. Sharing clergy, staff, councils, organizations, religious education, music resources, service programs, and facilities could in some cases actually make it financially feasible to continue to keep open the churches that financially are the most at risk.

It is also important to understand that every parish in the Diocese will now be partnered with the other parishes in their region. It must become a normal component of all pastoral planning that the parishes in a cluster regularly consult with neighboring parishes regarding Mass schedules, Catholic education, CCD, RCIA, Bible studies, prayer groups, support groups and service organizations. The pastoral challenges of an entire region must become an essential priority rather than just the needs of an individual parish.

The Catholic Church fundamentally exists to evangelize, and if we all worked more closely together we could bring back many who have fallen away, bring to Christ many who do not yet know the Lord, and enhance the effectiveness of all our ministries.

Enclosed are Directives which will guide the implementation of the merging, linking and partnering of our parish communities. Some changes will be effected immediately, while others may be phased in over a period of years. Both our Diocesan Offices and the Reid Group will be available to assist with the implementation of the Directives. Obviously, greater wisdom could modify our plans in the future.

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict has called upon Catholics throughout the world to observe a Year of Faith in support of a New Evangelization. It is my hope and prayer that the entire Diocese of Peoria will enthusiastically embrace our common Baptismal vocation to be the Body of Christ, to be guided in all things by the Holy Spirit, and to announce the Gospel to everyone we meet.

May Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Joseph the Worker pray with us and for us, and may Almighty God bless us all in his service.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC
Bishop of Peoria